A Multi-Talented Leader: Interview with Emily Walters, 2024 School Captain

Emily is no stranger to the MGGS community given the numerous performances she has shared with us through music soirees and drama productions. We chat to this passionate and charismatic performer about all things Arts, and how this high-achieving boarder sees her new role as 2024 School Captain playing out. 

What are your key interests when it comes to the Arts?

Since I was little, I’ve loved music, drama and dance. I have always tried my best to participate in as much as this School has to offer in the Arts as I can.  

In Year 6, in 2018, I played the Beast in the Middle Years production of Beauty and the Beast. In Year 10 last year, I played Ms Trunchbull in the Senior Years production of Matilda. And this year, I played Rosie in the Senior Years production of Mamma Mia!  

When I first started at Melbourne Girls Grammar as a little Year 5, I played the oboe, and initially took lessons for it, then switched to the saxophone in Year 9. I currently take lessons for saxophone and singing, and I’m in three ensembles: the Merton Chamber Voices, Stage Band, and Concert Band.

How do you find being a creative person in the Boarding House?

Rehearsals for both drama and music stimulate anyone socially and creatively but, as a boarder, they also provide an outlet for me to relax and have fun outside of the Boarding House. This, in turn, allows me to step back and enjoy my boarding experience to the fullest. In addition, my involvement in these different activities allows me to engage with different year levels, staff members and communities outside the classroom and the Boarding House. Something  I may not have had the chance to do if I was not involved in the Arts.  

What is the thing that you most treasure about being a Boarder?

What I treasure most about being a boarder, specifically at this School, is the friendships I’ve made. It’s a pretty unique experience, so, even if you might not have been friends with someone if you were both day girls, between boarders there is always this unspoken commitment to support one another, wherever we are, which I think is pretty special.

What are the most inspiring aspects or highlights of participating in the Arts at MGGS?

Definitely how much work goes into the final product of any performance, production or piece – whether that be from the students involved, the staff or the Arts Auxiliary. It’s incredible to see how high the standard of professionalism, quality and effort delivered by everyone involved is and that makes the process infinitely more significant.  

What are you looking forward to most in your final year at MGGS?

In my final year, I’m most looking forward to being the role model for other Grammarians, like all past Year 12s have been for me. I will treasure the experiences and friendships I have made through my involvement in drama and music for a long time after I end my journey at MGGS.

For the Love of Music: Profile on Year 10 Student Maggie Shi

Meng Qi (Maggie) Shi joined Melbourne Girls Grammar in 2021 as a Year 8 student. She has recently achieved the Australian Licentiate in Music (LMusA) with Distinction on French horn from the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). This is one of the highest possible levels awarded by the AMEB for the French horn in Australia. Maggie performed a number of pieces on the French horn for over 30 minutes for two professional examiners. She received the highest possible grade – an ‘award with distinction’. This is very rarely awarded and only given to outstanding candidates. Maggie also competed at Gebr Alexander French Horn Competition in China recently and has just completed Units 1 and 2 of VCE Music, so will be studying Units 3 and 4 during Year 11 next year. We spoke with Maggie about her passion for music and what she loves about studying Music at MGGS.  

Maggie says many describe music as ‘an international language’, she understands the cliché but she prefers to think of music as ‘the science of the soul’. She says music evokes emotions, forms connections between people and is a medium of self-expression and interpretation.  

“No matter if it’s a solo or performance with an ensemble, music creates such a special atmosphere and everyone takes a slightly different feeling away with them ...”

Maggie has experimented with a number of instruments in her time, but is currently playing the piano, the French horn and the trumpet. She began her journey when she was five years old with the piano. She didn’t love it at first, but she knows it has given her a firm foundation for her further music studies. She’s adored starting the french horn and the trumpet along the way, due to their amazing and unique sounds. Maggie has been part of the Music department since she started at MGGS and has loved getting involved in Stage Band and Concert Band as they “frequently delve into well-known, enjoyable pieces that cater to various skill levels.” She also likes being involved in Orchestra, which allows more advanced musicians to focus on classical music. Maggie “always looks forward to” Pianists Plus because of the collaboration with other pianists.  

The last performance Maggie participated in was a lunchtime concert at School, where students and staff were invited down to the beautiful Music Atrium to enjoy some music from the Concert and Stage Bands. Maggie says “this event really showed the musical culture of our School, as so many people came to support performers, or just wanted to listen to a mini, live concert!” Maggie’s favourite event on the MGGS Music calendar is the Dark Arts Festival. “With the vastly different ensembles performing at different venues around the School … it feels different to normal performances.” Maggie says Dark Arts feels like a real team collaboration, where everybody wants to “spread the joy of music”.

When asked if she wants to pursue further studies at VCE level in Music, Maggie enthusiastically answers she will, "I completed Units 1 and 2 this year and will continue in Year 11 studying Units 3 and 4. I am focusing on developing skills used on stage during performance, as well as theory and music analysis, which will help her be both a good performer as well as a good musician. Maggie explained how the VCE Music study is broadening her musical horizons and encouraging her to explore diverse genres, styles and historical periods of music.

Earlier this year, Maggie challenged herself by participating in the Gebr Alexander French Horn competition in China, which she says was “unforgettable and enriching”. The week-long competition brings together over 300 young contestants from across the globe to compete and attend masterclasses and performances from professional horn players from Germany. Maggie reflected that “the diverse musical community involved in this event truly inspired” her and provided “insight into what the industry really looks like.”

"My dream is to travel around the world, performing with people who hold a passion for making music.” Maggie said she is considering studying music beyond School, or will at the very least keep it as a big part of her life. Until then, she is excited for her time in the Music department at MGGS that is to come and will, as always, keep trying to participate in as many music events as she can!  

A Passion for the Stage: Interview with Year 9 Student Stephanie Adamson

It is not every day that you get to meet a world-famous Broadway star, but Year 9 Grammarian Stephanie Adamson, had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from the very best at Kristin Chenoweth’s ‘Broadway Bootcamp’ earlier this year.  

The Broadway Bootcamp enables aspiring performers to learn from Broadway professionals and delve into the world of performing arts through their hands-on workshops and activities. The Bootcamp’s success continues to grow, and this year catered for 62 children from 22 US states and five foreign countries. Students are required to apply and audition for their places and Stephanie was very excited to find out she had been accepted to participate in the camp.

Stephanie shared how she has "always had a very large passion for music and drama", which was ignited by a stage production of Mary Poppins that she saw when she was very young. Stephanie has been an active participant in Music and Drama activities and programs at MGGS and we sat down with her to hear about her journey so far.

Why do you love the performing arts?

I have always had a very large passion for music and drama ever since I was very young and saw a production of Mary Poppins on stage for the first time. This was a defining moment in my life and has always inspired me to pursue my dreams.  

I think performing is just one of the most perfect forms of expression and creativity. I love being able to escape my own world and tell the story of another person’s life or experiences. I love how telling those stories can impact others who might be going through similar things to the character I am portraying. Having the power to yield emotions and tell a story through dancing, singing and acting is a superpower in itself, and is the main reason I love the performing arts.  

What is the last performance you participated in at MGGS?

This year, mostly in concerts with the Music department. The last one I did at MGGS would be singing at the Diversity Assembly in Term 3, after I returned from Broadway Bootcamp in America.  

I also performed in the School Concert and at High Tea. The last Drama production I performed in was last year as part of the Middle Years production of The Witches, when I played the role of Bruno Jenkins – I had a truly amazing time.  

Which Music or Drama groups or clubs have you been part of at MGGS?  

I am part of both Merton Chamber Voices and the Senior Years Choir. Last year I was also the singer for the School’s Jazz Band, before we couldn’t continue performing as a group for a multitude of reasons. I always love going to choir, it’s a really nice opportunity to sing in a group of people that love it like I do and spend time with friends.

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What is your favourite event of the year at School?

I must say that my favourite event of the school year is the Carol Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. I think it is a special moment for the School to come together to celebrate Christmas in such a beautiful place and join each other in singing carols and enjoying the incredible music that is performed.

This year will be my second year performing in the Carols Choir, and the rehearsal process as well as the final event is such an exhilarating and special experience. I feel very lucky that MGGS offers such an amazing opportunity for the musicians and students to take part in.  

What was it like travelling to the United States to complete the ‘Broadway Bootcamp’?  

I must say was the most incredible 10 days of my life!

To be constantly surrounded by people that all share the same passion in musical theatre as I do, and to be immersed in such a talented group, with the best performers in the industry, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

I feel so grateful to have been able to attend the camp, and to be able to personally meet and work with Kristin herself. It was so welcoming, and I felt like I had the space and safety to be my true, authentic self, and to explore myself as a performer, while taking risks too.

What did you learn there?

I genuinely learned so much at Bootcamp and find it hard to sum it up in words. There were many lessons every day in small groups of around 10 people, meaning that everybody would get the chance to have one-on-one interactions with all the different teachers.  

I learned a lot about the importance of storytelling through song, and different techniques for getting into our character’s thoughts and emotions. There was a lot of time spent on vocal technique, especially with the vocal coach, Celeste Simone, and focus on the importance of having a strong ballet foundation in dancing.  

I also got the amazing opportunity to work with Kristin on one of my songs personally, and we spent a lot of time looking at how to get the different parts of your voice, and knowing which vocal styles are appropriate for different genres of musical theatre.  

We also focused on details of our acting skills, looking at the objectives and the intention behind every decision made by an actor on the stage. I also feel that I learned a lot about self-confidence – it was never a question that all of us were there for a reason. I feel like I have come back from America with a new-found confidence in myself that I feel so lucky to have been able to find and grasp on to.  

What are you most looking forward to about your future education in Drama?  

I am most looking forward to simply learning. As an actor, there is never any boundary to what you can learn. There are always new roads to drive down and different techniques to explore, and I feel so grateful to be able to try new and interesting ways of performing. I just want to become the best performer that I can possibly be and learn from all the different people I meet along the way.  

Do you plan on pursuing a career in the performing arts?

Definitely! It is my passion, and the fact that it has continued to blossom over the past ten years of my life only makes it more important to me. I have a genuine love for performing, and I believe that I can make it happen –  I just need to keep working as hard as I can.  

In order to get there, I must continue grasping on to any learning opportunity I can find; to keep putting myself out there, auditioning for shows and be seen by people. Like I said before, to me it all comes down to learning. I truly believe that without versatility within the performing arts, it would be a far more difficult road to success. I find enjoyment in the learning and rehearsal aspects, just as I do in performing, and I think that that is an important thing to value when it comes down to maintaining a genuine love for it.  

This is what I believe I have to focus on: honing my skills and working hard because, at the end of the day, it is what I love and what I want to do, and I don’t want to take any of it for granted.

We wish Stephanie the best of luck on her journey as she continues to work hard to achieve her dreams.