Matthew Chanwai's origin story is one for the ages.
The Hamiltonian - today, the principal cellist in the NZSO Youth Orchestra - reportedly picked up a cello when he was just two years old.
"Both of my sisters played the violin, so I was listening to music as soon as I was breathing.
"The story goes that I would get their violin, and I would turn it, sit down, and play it upright like a cello. I don't remember, but that's how I got into the cello."
Matthew Chanwai. Photo: Supplied
In addition to his role in the Youth Orchestra, the now 18-year-old has been accepted into Cambridge University to read music and has also been awarded the position of Organ Scholar at Downing College.
He credits St Paul's Collegiate College School and its Organ Scholarship Programme for his success with the instrument, and is looking forward to dividing his time during his three-year degree between both the keys and the strings.
"I love playing the organ and the cello. It's great to have variety and they're two very different instruments. It's a time balance act ... But I love it."
Bryan Crump speaks to principal cellist and organ scholar, Matthew Chanwai. Photo: Mary Argue
