First-year Stellenbosch University (SU) music student, Weien Amy Luo, is one of the six violinists who were selected to play in the 2026 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) from 1 to 5 December at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.
“It was my love and appreciation for music that motivated me to enter the 2026 NYMC. This is a place to test myself to a high standard and push myself further,” says the 18-year-old rising star.
This is her second year of participation in the contest. Last year she was the only violinist from KwaZulu-Natal who played in the competition.
Hailing from Umhlanga in KwaZulu-Natal, this year’s competition is extra special for the young star as her younger brother, Xizhi Aiden, was also selected to participate. He is a pianist. She indicated that she knows 13 of her fellow contestants.
Weien Amy started to play music at the age of four. Her first music teacher was Violeta Osorhean, the former concertmaster of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, she is studying under Dr Suzanne Martens.
She also plays the piano and says it is difficult to choose a favourite between the two musical instruments. “I was introduced to the piano initially, so it will always be my first love. As I grew up, I have naturally gravitated towards the violin. I think of it as an extension of myself as it allows me to express my emotions and feelings more freely, and it feels like my second voice,” she explains.
The talented violinist says Julia Fischer and Augustin Hadelich are two of her musical role models. “Their emotional honesty in their performances is what I admire and work towards.”
According to her, she practices four to five hours per day. When she has some time to spare, she loves swimming, drawing and reading.
On completion of her SU studies, Weien Amy would like to further her studies overseas and perform and travel around the world, sharing her music.
Her favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach. “There is a deceptive simplicity in his music. To the naked ear, the melody sounds simple and effortless, but there are so many intricate details that are woven together that make his works everlasting. Every time I play his music, I always discover and learn something new,” she smiles.
The young musician describes herself as passionate. Her motto in life is: “Dream big, but start small and start now!”
Should she be able to be an inanimate object, Weien Amy would like to be a jade. She says this gemstone is strong enough to endure pressure, beautiful enough to inspire, and grows in value with time.