Pianist is London bound

ROSEMARY McLENNAN/Upper Hutt Leader

THANKSGIVING CONCERT: Sunday's concert by Upper Hutt pianist Amber Rainey is her way of acknowledging the many locals who have supported her studies.

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Upper Hutt Leader

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A concert in the Genesis Theatre on Sunday will help Upper Hutt pianist Amber Rainey fund her advanced studies at a prestigious London music school.

Miss Rainey, 22, has completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Auckland University, followed by first class honours last year.

She has been accepted by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for a two-year degree, majoring in piano accompaniment.

The Royal College of Music also accepted her application so it was "nice to have a choice," of what she believes are Europe's top two music colleges.

Her music teacher, Rae de Lisle, is a former Guildhall student.

While she has received some New Zealand scholarships, Miss Rainey is busy saving towards the $NZ60,000 per year all-up cost of her study.

She has been touring New Zealand as part of the Cook Strait Trio with cellist Paul Van Houtte and violinist Blythe Press.

"It was so much fun, there was really good feedback," Miss Rainey says.

This year she has been teaching at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School and has a number of private pupils.

For the past four years Miss Rainey has been playing on a casual basis with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Earlier this year she did a performance at the Te Papa Monet exhibition with them.

While further studies are expensive, Miss Rainey says there is always work to accompany soloists and she wishes more people would train in that field.

"A lot of people say there is no money in music but if you know what you are doing there is" and the investment in her career will not be wasted, she says.

Her long-term goal is to become a lecturer.

The Expressions' concert  Miss Rainey's way of thanking her many Hutt Valley supporters  will be on Sunday, August 23, at 2pm in the Genesis Theatre.

She's already tried out the new Steinway concert grand which she describes as a "great piano" in an "awesome venue".

Performing with her will be Mr Press, cellist Sophie Williams, singer Roger Wilson and there will be a piano duet with Donald Nicholson.

Tickets are $25 and can be booked at Expressions.

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