Augustine Leung took up piano when he was just three years old.
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Now the 13-year-old has achieved one of Australia's highest musical qualifications.
The Girton Grammar student was recently awarded his Associate in Music, Australian Diploma (AMusA).
It required him to perform for about 30 minutes in front of two expert judges, and complete a theory exam.
Augustine's exam repertoire included a prelude in fugue by Bach, a Sonata in A minor by Schubert, a Brahms Intermezzo in A major and Rachmaninoff's Prelude in D major.
The qualification is the result of years hard work.
In Prep Augustine completed his first grade in the Australian Music Examinations Board syllabus. The AMusA is the second highest piano qualification offered by AMEB.
Augustine practises piano for as much as two hours a day. He is also working towards his Certificate of Performance in violin, a step towards achieving his AMusA in violin.
Last year he also picked up guitar.
Music is my passion and I love it. I love how there's such broad range of it, I love how creative everything is, the history of the music, there's such a wide variety.
- Augustine Leung
In just Year 8, Augustine is considering a career in music, but isn't sure yet.
"Music is my passion and I love it. I love how there's such broad range of it, I love how creative everything is, the history of the music, there's such a wide variety," he said.
Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Brahms are among his favourite composers to play.
His own listening tastes include 20th modern composers, some 19th century romantic ... and modern music like pop and rock.
When he's not practising, Augustine enjoys soccer, reading, running long distances, and of course, listening to music.
At school, his favourite subject in Physical Education.
Augustine's next step in piano will be to attempt his Licentiate in Music, which he plans to attempt in a few years.
In the mean time Augustine will focus on expanding his repertoire and skills such as sight reading.
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