When Brian and I arrived in Vienna on July 29th, the heat wave was almost over. We were anxious to meet our daughter, who was attending the Vienna Young Pianists camp there. April and her friends Tommy and Elodie, together with their piano teacher Anna Polonsky, were invited to participate in this international music camp in Vienna for the last two weeks. There were about 25 students of age 11 – 16 yrs coming from 16 countries. The camp program was filled with music lessons, workshops, practice sessions, museum excursions, evening concerts and recitals. The gifted young musicians from all over the world also found plenty of time to build their friendship and share their love for music in between the practice sessions. We were especially proud that our piano teacher Anna Polonsky, one of co-founders and owners of Polonsky Piano School, has been invited to teach at this prestigious International Piano Camp along with other professors from all over the world.

Brian and I were just in time for their final concert held in Ehrbar Hall, one of the city’s most beautiful concert halls - in which Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler once performed. Before the concert started, there was much excitement in the air. Dressed in their handsome shirts and beautiful concert gowns, the young boys and girls were running around laughing, joking, and exchanging email addresses. The buzzing noise came to a halt when Mrs. Susanna Spaemann, the Camp Director, stood on stage to introduce the first performer. One after another, the playful teenagers instantly transformed into serious musicians as they performed their beloved Mozart, Schumann and Liszt. The concert ended on a happy note. April won the 1st Prize for the best Mozart interpretation. Elodie won the 2nd prize out of all performances of a contemporary American composer from San Jose Mr. Lothar Bandermann, and Tommy the 3rd in the same category. As the camera flashed, the boys and girls wrapped their arms around each other and shouted “jabba!” – a secret name they gave themselves for their union of music and friendship.

The camp ended, but the musical journey for our sons and daughters will go on. As April continues to pursue her dreams, this summer will surely remain one of her most treasured memories.

Helene Deng,
The proud mother of April Luo