Keys to success: Self-taught pianist overcomes barriers to dream big

A self-taught teenage pianist is overcoming socio-economic barriers to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician.

17-year-old Terry Maelaua taught himself to play the piano watching videos on the Internet.

Source: SBS

From Mozart to Bach, no piano masterpiece is too great a challenge for 17-year-old Terry Maelaua.

For someone who plays the piano with such ease, it’s surprising to discover the high school student taught himself using only YouTube.

Terry would spend hours imitating the fingers of pianists in videos, persisting until his version on the keyboard would sound identical to the professional on screen.

“It’s a very long process,” he admits, “but I put my interest into it so it didn’t feel long.”

At 13, Terry moved with his parents from the Solomon Islands to Sydney, and they now call Parramatta home.

Listening to the organist at his local church sparked his interest in the piano.



Though his parents weren't able to afford lessons, let alone a piano, it didn’t stop the precocious teenager from teaching himself on a keyboard he borrowed from the church.

His talent mystifies his parents, neither of whom is musically inclined.

Both are soft-spoken, friendly and unassuming, although it’s obvious they take clear pride in Terry’s gift.

"He almost spends most of his time playing keyboard,” his mother Leone said.

“He can play keyboard from morning until late in the afternoon. He just sits there and plays."

It was only recently that his father, Seni, realised his son's piano playing was more than just a hobby. 

"I'm the one that normally gets stuck right into him and I started forcing him to concentrate more on his schoolwork, just like any other parent would do,” he said.

“But just recently I came to realise his talent. It's incredible, just to know that he has that talent within him. It just blows me away.

“We thought about getting him lessons when we realised his talent, but it’s just not a priority at the moment because of our finances.”

Without formal training, Terry is musically illiterate.

When he joined a band at his high school in western Sydney, he wasn't able to read the sheet music.

For five years, he a managed to play piano simply by ear.
Music teach John Hibbard mentors Terry Maelaua through the Symphony for Life Foundation.
Music teach John Hibbard mentors Terry Maelaua through the Symphony for Life Foundation. Source: SBS
Music teacher John Hibbard was determined to help Terry bridge his knowledge gap and volunteered to mentor him this year through the .

The program, funded by Parramatta Council's Stronger Communities Fund, aims to provide children from some of the most disadvantaged communities in Australia with resources to reach their full potential as musicians. 

"All children who want to join will be able to have the tuition for nothing," he said. "They'll get an instrument for free. Symphony for Life raises the funds for these things to take place. The idea is perfect access for every child who wants to participate."

Mr Hibbard says he has seen many gifted students in the same situation as Terry. 

“Unfortunately music education is not evenly distributed," he said. "And so for this environment and for the places Terry has been and his life journey, it is quite exceptional.”
Symphony of LIfe founder John Hibbard and student Terry Maelaua
Symphony of Life founder John Hibbard and student Terry Maelaua. Source: SBS
He particularly wanted to help Terry to ensure he didn't fall behind in his music studies, as well as provide him with guidance should he wish to pursue a career in music. 

Over the past few months, Terry has developed an understanding of the basics of piano, from time signatures to tempo, as well as shaped his appreciation for the history of music.

"He is learning how to address the piano and work the touch so he can bring forward that beautiful orchestral feeling through the piano," Mr Hibbard said.

More than just music

Through the one-on-one classes, Terry has also cultivated life skills, such as discipline, teamwork and confidence. 

"We too often see where people learn music and when that period of music is over the case is closed but we'd like to think that this is a sustainable lifelong thing," Mr Hibbard said. 

The classes have had a profound impact on Terry. 

“My parents don't have so much money for things so we try to do our best," he said. "But then when I came across this opportunity, it has helped me so much and I am so really thankful for this.” 

Last year, the Year 11 student was awarded a scholarship to undertake private organ lessons at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

He was speechless when his principal from Holroyd High School informed him of the free tuition.
Walking through the corridors of the prestigious music institution each week “is like something I never experienced before,” Terry says.

“The atmosphere of the music comes through my ears and I feel inspired," he said. "It makes me so happy and makes me feel like I can do this."

Next year Terry intends to select music as a unit of study for his Higher School Certificate.

He admits he finds other subjects challenging, but is lucky to have the piano to bring him joy and tranquillity in times of stress.

Inspired by world-famous concert pianist Vladimir Horowitz, Terry is dreaming big.

“My dream is to a professional pianist one day and to make others think about playing the piano like me too,” he said.


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5 min read
Published 14 May 2017 11:50am
Updated 22 June 2017 10:32am
By Lydia Feng


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