A Meriden School graduate has earned a full scholarship to New York’s prestigious Juilliard School, reflecting the school’s strong tradition of nurturing musical excellence and ambition.
Teresa Yang, a 2024 graduate of Meriden School in Strathfield, is set to take the next step in her music career at the prestigious Juilliard School, having been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the world-renowned performing arts institution.
From an early age, Teresa knew that the violin would be at the centre of her life and career. She credits her time at Meriden for preparing her not only as a musician but also for life beyond school.
“I have learned so much as a student and grown so much as a person during my time at Meriden,” Teresa said. Teresa was the school’s Head Prefect in 2024.
Located in New York city, The Juilliard School is one of the most distinguished performing arts academies in the world. Each year, around 2,000 of the world’s brightest young artists apply for only 150 available undergraduate positions. Due to its popularity, the violin is one of the most competitive instruments for admission to Julliard.
Teresa travelled to the US in March this year for a live audition and interview. In April, she received the news that she had been accepted. Teresa is taking the magnitude of her achievement with typical grace and clarity, as she looks forward to what the next few years might offer.
“I’m really excited to meet new people and join a community of artists of such high calibre. I am looking forward to all of it: orchestras, chamber music, meeting new teachers and, of course, other students as well. I’ve heard it’s like a big family at Juilliard!”
Meriden’s Dean of Music (Pre-Kindergarten – Year 12), Ms Jodie Spooner-Ryan, oversaw much of Teresa’s development both musically and personally during her educational journey which began at Meriden in Year 7. She says that Teresa’s impact on the Performing Arts Department cannot be overstated.
“Teresa always embraced everything musical at Meriden,” Ms Spooner-Ryan said.
“She was a very good role model to the younger students in rehearsal; always focused, always committed, always wanting the best out of the music, and this set the bar high for other students. There are many students who looked up to her,” Ms Spooner-Ryan said.
In her final years at Meriden, Teresa began to consider her options for university.
“Of course, there was a significant repertoire to build for my applications, but that was only one part of the process. I had to put together other documents like essays and letters of recommendation. The school gave me a lot of support in that way,” she said.
Meriden’s Head of Tertiary Pathways, Mr Ryan Richards, says that prestigious schools such as Juilliard consider not only the talent and performance level of musicians like Teresa, but their character and personal development as well. He says that the staff who gave support through letters of recommendation did so “with ease”, given Teresa’s positivity, humility and contribution to the school.
Teresa has recently travelled on tour with the Australian Youth Orchestra, performing at venues across Europe, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Musikverein in Vienna.
Teresa flew back to the US earlier this year and has begun a Bachelor of Music Performance, living on campus and joining the community of other exceptional artists from all over the world.
A tradition of excellence
Meriden’s music program is a vibrant part of school life. Whether nurturing beginners or guiding advanced performers, the Music staff at Meriden play a vital role in helping students find their voice, grow in confidence, and connect through the shared joy of music.
From Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 12, music is taught by specialist educators who inspire students to explore their musical potential.
In the Junior School years (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6), there is a focus on singing, with the language of music notation presented through a variety of listening, composition and performance opportunities.
The Junior School’s instrumental program is an important component of classroom Music lessons and facilitates an advanced coverage of the curriculum. The instrumental program is taught in Year 3 with an array of instruments including violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and French horn, and in Year 5 with a focus on larger instruments such as double bass, bassoon, tuba, bass guitar and percussion. Performance ensembles for students who have progressed on an instrument are also offered alongside the curriculum to encourage collaborative music making.
In the Senior School, all students in Years 7 and 8 study Music. The variety of topics covered ranges from Instruments of the Orchestra through to Film Music and Rock Music, with a focus on notation and the development of listening skills.
In Years 9 and 10, the Music elective course centres around a contextual focus and the development of aural skills, composition and performance techniques. Students perform regularly with an accompanist and are supported in composition by a specialist composition teacher. Topics include Music for Small Ensembles, Opera, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Music of the Twentieth Century.
Meriden offers all HSC Music courses including Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension. The components of aural, musicology, composition and performance are taught by specialists in each area and students are encouraged to develop their skills in all components for a holistic music education.
Music beyond the classroom
Music at Meriden extends well beyond the curriculum. Both the Junior School and Senior School have a broad offering of cocurricular music ensembles, which cater to students of all ability levels.
Musical performances are held throughout the year, including concerts for large ensembles, recitals for soloists and smaller groups, twilight concerts for those taking individual instrumental or vocal tuition, and performances at assemblies and special events. Meriden musicians also take part in combined schools and community performances.
Throughout the year, students benefit from the expertise of visiting professional musicians who lead workshops, masterclasses and performances. These experiences offer valuable inspiration and insight into the world of professional music-making.
Nurturing exceptional talent: the Amadeus Program
For students with outstanding musical talent, Meriden offers the Amadeus Program, designed to support and accelerate the development of elite young musicians from Years 5 to 12. Entry to the program is by invitation, recognising students who demonstrate high-level musical engagement both within and beyond the school. The Amadeus Program provides tailored support and exciting performance opportunities.
