For Paris, music has never simply been about performance. It has been about connection, community, joy and shared experience, values that were deeply shaped during her six years with the Adelaide Youth Orchestras.
Paris joined Adelaide Youth Strings in 2012 while she was in Year 7, after attending an AdYO Gala Concert the year before as an audience member.
“I distinctly remember attending the 2011 AdYO Gala concert and deciding I wanted to join AYS,” she says. “I auditioned successfully later that year and had such a good time playing in the orchestra that about halfway through the year, I decided I wanted to become a musician.”
Her love of music had begun much earlier. According to her parents, Paris had wanted to play the violin since she was three years old. She eventually began learning through the instrumental music program at Mitcham Primary School, where she studied with teacher Kai Wang, someone who would continue to influence her musical journey for years to come.
From AYS, Paris quickly progressed through the AdYO pathway, joining AdYO Sinfonia in 2013 before moving into the flagship Adelaide Youth Orchestra the following year. During her time with the organisation, she served as Principal Second Violin and later Concertmaster in AdYO, while also performing in chamber ensembles including the Pernambuco String Quartet and the AdYO Violin Duo alongside her younger sister, Tahlia.
One particularly memorable performance saw the sisters perform for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their 2014 visit to Elizabeth.
Over the years, Paris embraced every opportunity AdYO offered. From major orchestral repertoire and chamber music performances to outreach concerts in schools and aged care facilities.
“Honestly, the entire experience of AdYO was hugely valuable to me,” she says. “Learning from professional musicians, growing strong friendships, sharing music with a broad range of audiences, performing in beautiful venues, and being part of such a wonderful community of like-minded people.”
Among her musical highlights were performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Holst’s The Planets and Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony, works she says left a lasting impression through the passion and detail communicated by conductors and tutors.
“It was such a visceral experience,” she says of performing the Organ Symphony. “The whole orchestra was so connected to the music in that performance. It reinforced how much I love playing music.”
For Paris, AdYO was also where lifelong friendships and relationships were formed.
“AdYO was a huge part of my life through my teenage years,” she says. “It helped me develop friendships and taught me skills in collaboration, leadership and communication.”
“Most significantly, through AdYO I met my husband Hamish.”
Following her time with AdYO, Paris went on to study a Bachelor of Music (Advanced) in Classical Performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and participated in the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp. She performed regularly with leading ensembles including the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Baroque and Adelaide Cantata Band, while also building a strong career as a music educator.
Alongside performing, Paris became increasingly passionate about teaching and community music-making, facilitating workshops and regional music tours, tutoring young musicians and mentoring emerging players.
Today, she continues to contribute to South Australia’s vibrant music community while working as a primary school teacher, violinist and educator. In 2024, she returned to university to complete a Master of Primary Teaching, and this year began her first full-time classroom teaching role.
“I’m excited to bring music into the generalist classroom,” she says, “while continuing to perform as a chamber musician and contribute to the youth music scene through AdYO, State Music Camp and other programs.”
Looking back, Paris says AdYO provided more than musical training: it created a foundation for life.
“In the music world, networking and connection-building is so important,” she says. “Through AdYO, I was able to form friendships and professional connections that have continued to shape my career and my life.”
Twenty-five years on, stories like Paris’ are a powerful reminder that AdYO is about far more than orchestral performance. It is about inspiring young people, building lifelong community, and creating experiences that continue to resonate long after the final note is played.
