SALT LAKE CITY — Natalie Sun, a first-grade student at The Madeleine Choir School, recently came away with a first place and two second-place awards in the Under 12 categories in the 13th annual Salt Lake Piano Competition. It was the first competition that Natalie, 7, entered since she began playing three years ago.
Natalie’s mother Xiaoying, an accomplished pianist, began teaching her daughter during the height of Covid, when enrichment opportunities outside the home were practically non-existent. Xiaoying Sun came to the University of Utah nearly 10 years ago from China as a visiting artist in Chinese traditional folk dance. She had played piano herself as a child and had won several contests and thought it was something her daughter would enjoy.
Natalie took to the instrument and now, far from having to be encouraged to play, practices all the time, even as much as three hours a day on weekends. Mozart is her favorite composer. “She is very productive; when the time comes for her to practice, she can focus,” her father Le Sun said.
When the Suns signed their daughter up for the competition they had no idea what to expect, Le Sun said. Learning that Natalie would be the youngest contestant in all three categories, they held their breath. They were delighted when Natalie performed well in the first two sections, Le Sun said, but when they learned most of the contestants in the final section were several years older, “We thought, ‘There’s no way on this one; she’s probably going to participate on this one and call it good.’”
Instead, in the last event Natalie played Chopin’s “Waltz Op. 64, No. 2,” and shortly after was declared a winner.
Several of the judges left kind and encouraging messages on their judging sheets.
“Very impressed with your mature phrasing on a difficult piece,” one wrote. “You are such a talented young pianist – loved hearing you today.”
Another wrote, “Overall, just beautiful. You’re amazing for your age. Keep it up.”
More praise came several weeks later at a performance put on by the winners at Westminster College. There Le Sun ran into Melinda Perttu, a faculty member in the school’s department of music. “’I heard about this 7-year-old that was playing college-level songs and everybody was saying she’s a rising star,’ she said,” Sun recalled. “Hearing this stuff from professionals gives us more encouragement to move her forward.”
In addition to continuing lessons from her mother, Natalie is also taking lessons from University of Utah piano professor Ning Lu “to take her to another level and polish her skills,” Le Sun said. As long as Natalie continues to enjoy playing, the Suns will support her in that endeavor. She also loves to sing, so they will encourage her to participate in The Madeleine Choir School’s choirs when she is old enough, Le Sun said.
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