At 13, Kai Laird has already been playing piano for nine years.
He has since added the cello, drums and pipe organ to his list, and hopes one day to travel the world as a concert organist.
Kai will be among 13 young musicians taking part in the Spring Variety Concert at Willetton Uniting Church on October 25, as the church’s Outreach Concert series marks its 20th anniversary.
Most of this year’s performers are from Willetton and range in age from six to 14.
The program will include piano, voice, violin, cello and flute performances. This will give the young musicians a chance to play in front of a public audience.
Kai began learning piano at four, followed by cello at seven, drums at nine and pipe organ at 10.
He has performed in the Outreach Concert series since last year and also plays the organ during church services.
“I enjoy meeting other musicians and helping to raise funds for the church,” he said.
“Performing is very fun as I like sharing music with others, whether it is at church service, recitals like the Outreach Concert or at community events.”
Kai said he also enjoyed travelling to play in churches and cathedrals and hoped music would remain a big part of his future.
“I would like to be a cathedral organist and tour around the world as a concert organist,” he said.
Another 13-year-old performer, Luca, has similar ambitions. His interest in music began with a ukulele he was given as a toddler, before he started learning violin with a teacher.
Since then, his collection and range of instruments have grown to include strings, some brass and traditional instruments.
Luca said concerts such as the Willetton event gave young musicians a chance to perform without some of the pressure that can come with more formal settings.
“Participating in concerts like these is a way to collaborate with friends and perform in a fun, casual way,” he said.
He also enjoys composing his own music and hopes to pursue composition and performance as a career.
“I want to excite, captivate, inspire people with my music,” he said.
“I don’t need the persuasion of money or fame to do it because it’s truly the thing I love the most.”
Concert convenor Lyn Muir started the Willetton Uniting Church Outreach Concert series in 2006.
She said part of the church’s music program was to give young musicians a venue and supportive audience, particularly those making their first public performances.
This year’s Spring Variety Concert will also include a display of two unusual instruments, the European Serpent and Uyghur Khushtar spiked fiddle.
The concert will begin at 10.45am on Sunday, October 25 at Willetton Uniting Church in Herald Avenue.
Bookings are not required and entry is by donation.
