First-year Law student, violinist, and Music Performance Scholar, Lydia Cheng, reflects on coming to the University.

Where do you come from?
Toronto, Canada

How did you first get into playing the violin?
I first started on the piano at the age of 5. About a year later, I joined a violin group class and I loved it and it’s been with me ever since.

What’s your musical background?
Apart from playing as a soloist, I love chamber music. The collaboration with other musicians and friends is a completely different type of performance and is something I enjoy doing as much as possible. Back home, I am a member of a piano trio – Radiance Trio – and we perform and compete together. Last year, we were national finalists of the Canadian Music Competition.

What made you choose Kent as a place to study?
The UK is well-known for its multitude of great schools and with cousins having studied here as well, it was always a dream for me to study in the UK. I’ve had a long-time interest in studying law and as direct entry law is not an option in North America, I knew England was the right place for me. When it came to choosing a school, I knew I wanted a place where I could continue with music. Kent’s Symphony Orchestra and String Sinfonia drew me in.

What music-making are you involved in?
I am currently playing in the Symphony Orchestra and String Sinfonia.

What have you enjoyed most about your first term?
I loved the Baroque Christmas Concert. It was my first concert in Colyer-Fergusson and was an exhilarating experience. The atmosphere was warm and festive and all our rehearsals coming up to the concert just fit together like the final piece of a puzzle. It is not often that I get to perform with harpsichord or with choir, so to have this performance opportunity in a such a beautiful hall was a wonderful way to start my musical journey through Kent.