He is confident and says he couldn't wait for the Award to come

Nicholas Young is a great guy who has a few fans here at Shepparton, many love the way he performs and he says he's in top form

Questions & Answers – Profile

Name: Nicholas Young

Age: 25

When is your birthday?   10 February 1991

Where were your born?   Sydney (Hornsby)

Where do you live this year when in Australia: South Melbourne

YouTube clips of your performances?  YouTube Channel – Nicholas Young https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB2dU1gVPCqOoMVuv7wzf-Q

Do you still study & where – when will you finish?

I am a student at the Australian National Academy of Music (Professional Performance Program finishing end of 2016) and University of Melbourne (PhD expected to finish 2018 / early 2019)

Are you a full-time professional musician? I am still studying but hoping to gradually transition towards a full-time musical career.

What drew you to become a musician? A constant discovery of the huge world of music, not least within the field of classical music (let alone other genres), and the satisfaction of bringing audiences to discover this world with me, has always inspired me to pursue music as my vocation.

Do you sometimes perform in an ensemble?

I have been involved in a number of ensemble projects as part of the ANAM program, and have also founded a new ensemble this year, Ensemble Francaix, with oboist Emmanuel Cassimatis and bassoonist Matthew Kneale.

What is so special about the piano and its music?

We have possibly the largest repertoire of any instrument, such that there is something for every taste and personality. The piano’s versatility in both solo and ensemble settings is a particularly important trait, and the instrument never fails to command the attention of an audience, when played well.

What else can you play? I took lessons in classical guitar from the age of 4 till about 19 – it is actually my first instrument.

Do you sing? Occasionally, just for demonstrative or pedagogical purposes and in private.

What are you hobbies and why are you passionate about them? I started playing with web design and coding about two years ago and it became a second addiction, though I’m no expert at it. I think the interest lies partly in my strong belief that it has many great applications for the musical profession.

Do you do a lot of travel?  Where have you been overseas etc?

I was overseas for two and a half years from 2013 to early 2016 for my Masters studies in Salzburg, Austria. Of course this meant I also got the chance to visit parts of Germany, Italy and France.

What are your goals over the next two years?

To pinpoint as many of my personal and professional limitations, and work on eliminating them over the next five years. Some more straightforward goals include expanding my repertoire, developing my artistic profile and further exploring new artistic and creative ideas.

Who inspires you and why?

Any colleague around me who works hard at what he or she loves, because motivation is contagious, and because it drives the competitive side of me to try and match their level of commitment.

Which musician inspires you any why?  

Friedrich Gulda, for his courage to engage in creative work on his own terms, technical mastery of numerous keyboard instruments and genres, and his sheer talent.

Which composer’s music do you love and why?

All the music of J.S. Bach, for its craftsmanship, its seeming ability to present obvious solutions to any given musical problem, and for its strong expression of dignity in the face of any emotion, whether festive, joyous or mournful.   

Do you play sports?  Not at present.

Name 4 of your favourite things to do: Read.  Plan exciting future projects. YouTube-Surf; Sightseeing trips (especially mountain views)

What’s your idea of fashion/what do you prefer to wear? Smart and functional are my main goals. I don’t do thongs, which makes me a pretty poor Australian.

How do you relax and unwind from rehearsing?  A walk around the block or across the Yarra always seems to do the trick, weather permitting.

How do you care for your back etc. (to stop injuries etc)? Prevention is usually the best strategy, so a constant awareness and alertness of sitting posture helps.

Do you love the movies? Some of them! I gravitate towards films with some degree of intellectual bent – the work of Stanley Kubrick, Christopher Nolan and Tarantino, for example.

List at least three bars / favourite spaces to hang out in Australia and why?

Home – my place of peace and quiet to work or relax.

Wynyard in South Melbourne, near ANAM – a nice comfortable place for a coffee or drink with colleagues.

National Gallery of Victoria – great exhibitions throughout the year.

Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens – wide open space to enjoy a bit of nature without leaving the city.

Favourite meal / food / fruit and why?  Chicken or seafood laksa – I’m a sucker for spicy food, especially to warm myself up on a cold day.

Do you compose your own music?  I’ve done some bits and pieces over the years, but haven’t devoted enough time and effort yet towards an Opus 1.

What do you hope to get out of this Australian National Piano Award?

I hope first and foremost to move, entertain and enlighten the audiences in Shepparton with the recitals that I will present. Besides this I hope also to fulfil the challenges I have set for myself in programming these recital programs for public performance within the available time.

How long have you been rehearsing for this event? July through to September.

How did you hear about the Australian National Piano Award? I had previously participated in the 2012 Australian National Piano Award. It’s amazing.