HORSHAM piano student Ethan McRae has achieved a lot in 16 years.
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In March, he was awarded one of the highest musical performance diplomas, an Associate in Music Australia.
In October, he will make his concert debut in Horsham as a support act for internationally celebrated concert pianist Janine Sowden.
Ethan has played piano since he was six.
He said it took a year of preparation to be ready to take on an Associate in Music Australia.
"The exam itself was challenging - to continuously work that hard for such a long time, it was good to get a reward," he said.
"Getting up to that level and seeing other people at that level is a bit daunting but exciting at the same - it opens up a whole new world of music."
The exam had two components, a 40-minute recital and a verbal test of general knowledge of the pieces, their composers and the musical styles chosen.
Recital organiser and Natimuk music teacher Meg Sleeman taught Ethan theory and prepared him for the general knowledge section of the exam.
"Ethan's strength is his commitment to doing the required work - he listens, works incredibly hard and plays with a sensitivity and maturity far beyond his years," she said.
"Getting up to that level and seeing other people at that level is a bit daunting but exciting at the same - it opens up a whole new world of music."
- Ethan McRae
Ethan said he was nervous but excited to be the support act for Sowden, who is also his mentor.
"She's performed all over the world, so it's a new experience all together," he said.
Ethan is no stranger to performance, having competed at the Wimmera Eisteddfod for the past 11 years.
He has won a range of awards including the Veta Landt Award for the most promising junior student, and the Ann Adler Award for the most promising senior student.
Ethan said he did not know how far he wanted to take his music, but wanted to keep his options open.
"In the future it will definitely be a hobby and possibly a career," he said.
"I've just started teaching so that could be something I could always fall back on.
"I was hoping to do music as a side degree and then I can do either medicine or law."
Ethan said the support of people around him helped him to become successful in music.
"I want to thank my parents and my old piano teacher, the late Marie Schirmer-Matthews," he said.
Sowden and Ethan will perform at the Wesley Performing Arts Centre on October 17.
Ms Sleeman said tickets were $25 for adults and $22 concession.
They are on sale at www.wesleypac.com.au, and will be available at the centre on the night.
She said all profits from the recital would go towards the Wimmera Cancer Centre.