A special charity concert held last year, “When the East Meets the West” was a wonderful example of community-led fundraising in action.
Year 9 students and best friends Vanessa Liang (viola and piano) from Melbourne Girls Grammar School and Isabella Cen (guqin) from Methodist Ladies’ College returned for a second year of fundraising for St Vincent’s. The pair performed at the Melbourne Steinway Gallery alongside pianist Coco Yao from Lauriston Girls’ School.
Penny Tao, Vice President, Australia China Business Council Victoria, and Vanessa’s mother, said the combination of viola, piano and the traditional Chinese guqin created an atmosphere that was “both intimate and powerful”, reflecting the event’s theme.
Image: Isabella, Vanessa and Coco gave a moving performance last year to raise funds for St Vincent’s Private Hospital Fitzroy. (Credit: Richard Cen)
Year 9 students and best friends Vanessa Liang (viola and piano) from Melbourne Girls Grammar School and Isabella Cen (guqin) from Methodist Ladies’ College returned for a second year of fundraising for St Vincent’s. The pair performed at the Melbourne Steinway Gallery alongside pianist Coco Yao from Lauriston Girls’ School.
Penny Tao, Vice President, Australia China Business Council Victoria, and Vanessa’s mother, said the combination of viola, piano and the traditional Chinese guqin created an atmosphere that was “both intimate and powerful”, reflecting the event’s theme.
“There was a real sense of dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity... You could feel the sincerity behind every note. It wasn’t just a concert, but a shared experience filled with warmth, gratitude and purpose,” Penny said.
The three girls share a strong passion for charity and recognise the care and compassion that hospitals provide to families every day. For Vanessa, who was born at St Vincent’s, the cause is also a deeply personal one. She regularly organises and performs concerts at St Vincent’s Care Services Hawthorn during school holidays.
“Turning their music into something that could directly help others made the experience even more special,” Penny said. “Fundraising through performance feels very natural to them. It is an extension of their values, their friendship, and their desire to contribute meaningfully to the wider community.”With support from their families, the students exceeded their fundraising target of $4000 to care for patients at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Fitzroy in their greatest time of need.
Image: Isabella, Vanessa and Coco gave a moving performance last year to raise funds for St Vincent’s Private Hospital Fitzroy. (Credit: Richard Cen)
