Music has always been a foundational force in Sarah’s life, with her family encouraging her to start violin at a young age. This passion eventually transitioned into high school, when she played Beethoven 5 for the first time. Her love of orchestral music has persisted through time, with her string quartet making headway locally.

Bassoonist Tim Rosen, who first started playing in 2007 with the Adelaide Youth Sinfonia, has come full circle as a chair supporter through AdYO’s ‘Take Your Seat’ program. “It [Playing in AdYO] helped me develop active listening skills which I use in everyday life.”

Even now, Paris Netting says she still can’t listen to Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony without becoming emotional.

“I can still feel the rush of adrenaline as we reached the end,” she recalls. “My whole body felt exhilarated as we stood for the bows, and I couldn’t contain my smile… and a couple of sneaky tears.”