The audience is silent as Emma Steele steps up to the platform and raises the violin to her chin. The sophomore violin performance major is nervous, even though she has played in dozens of other competitions and won several prizes. To her, performing is second nature. But today, you'd never know it. Why? What's different about the 10th International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, held in Helsinki, Finland? Well, it's her first time playing with a professional orchestra, and it's the most prestigious violin competition she has ever entered. At stake are 50,000 euros of prize money and international renown.
Steele's career in the violin began at age 4, when her family friend gave her the instrument for her birthday. She learned to love playing by studying under the Suzuki Method-a school of teaching that emphasizes immersive group learning starting at a young age. By her early teens, she was competing in musical competitions and realizing that she wanted to pursue performance as a career. The Sibelius competition is her third international competition. In order to qualify, she submitted a DVD of her playing. Of 220 submissions, she became one of about 40 selected to compete in Helsinki.
Nerves and all, Steele flies through the first two rounds of the competition and finds herself as one of six finalists. She ends up winning the City of Järvenpää Young Talent Prize, given to the finalist who judges believe has the most potential. Steele was told that the judges found her to be the most musically interesting performer-a compliment this 20-year-old can take to the bank, along with 3,500 euros.
-Shannon Deep (CMU'10, HNZ'11)
Related Links:
Steele named one of six finalists in 2010 Sibelius Violin Competition
