Youngest Malaysian to pass
Grade 8 piano examination
By Connie Chieng
KUCHING – While most 10-year-old girls prefer playing with their Barbie dolls, Mariam Chung is already creating history of sort by being the youngest high musical achiever in the country.
Mariam passed her Grade 8 piano examination with distinction in September and is the youngest Malaysian to achieve such a feat. She started taking piano lessons seriously at the age of five.
Crediting her teacher Siwen Wong for her achievement, Mariam said without Wong’s support and encouragement, she would not have achieved such a success.
At five, Mariam passed her grade five examination with distinction. The following year, she passed her grade five theory test which qualified her to sit for grades 6, 7 and 8 practical ABRSM piano examinations. From grade 5 to 8, her lessons increased to at least an hour to two per session.
Despite being a good musician, Mariam’s ambition is to be a doctor. She is also an animal lover, spending her leisure time looking after her six cats and a hamster. Her other hobbies include swimming and reading. Mariam also tries to participate in public performances when the occasion calls for it.
She thanks her parents and her piano teacher for their unstinted support.
