Nine-year-old Hills student Daniel Bang is striking the right chord on the cello, building a musical journey that has already taken him to stages across Australia.
He has earned multiple prizes at eisteddfods across NSW, including the Sydney Eisteddfod, with first-place finishes at Hawkesbury and Ryde, including in categories open to older musicians. Internationally, he has also received top awards at competitions in New York, London and the Vivaldi International Music Competition.
Daniel was introduced to the cello through a local Hills school’s strings program.
“Actually, my mum chose the cello for me! It wasn’t really my choice at the beginning, but now I’m very happy she did,” Daniel said.
“What started as part of my school life slowly became something much bigger for me. As I kept learning, I began to enjoy the cello more and wanted to challenge myself with new pieces, performances and competitions.”
“I love the deep, warm sound of the cello. I like that it can sound very powerful, but also gentle and beautiful.”
He enjoys playing Bach, Radioactive, and his current favourite, A Million Dreams. While mainly a soloist, he is cello lead in Junior Strings and part of Intermediate Strings.
Instrumental in his journey is Susanna Kim, a cellist he looks up to the most.
“She has taught me so much and always helps me become a better cellist.”
“There are also so many amazing cellists around the world that I can’t choose just one famous cellist yet. Right now, they are all my idols!”
Kim said Daniel’s approach to music goes beyond simply mastering the notes.
“What I particularly admire is that he doesn’t simply focus on playing the right notes; he is always interested in understanding the music and expressing it in his own way,” she said.
She said Daniel had grown “not only technically, but also musically and personally”, becoming more confident and independent in his playing.
For Daniel, playing the cello is a way to express himself.
“The best part is when something that was really difficult at first finally starts to sound like music. I also love that I can express lots of different feelings through the cello without saying any words.”
To mum Mary, finding the balance between school and practice has been one of the hardest parts.
“I have learned that if, as a parent, I start wanting him to do everything well, music, school and everything else, we can easily lose the balance we are trying to create,” she said.
“So, I try to let go of my own expectations and remind myself that the most important thing is that Daniel still genuinely enjoys what he is doing.”
For Mary, Daniel’s results are not what make her proudest. “There have honestly been so many moments when I have felt proud of Daniel this year, but surprisingly, the results and awards are not what have made me proudest.”
“What has touched me most is seeing the person he is becoming through all these experiences. I am still learning this myself, but I think one of the most important things we can do as parents is to let go of some of our own ambitions and expectations for our children.”
Daniel is keen to enter more local competitions next year and perform at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2027.