For 14-year-old Melburnian Stefania Robu, a simple stroll down the street has transformed into a rather “bizarre experience.” Since her appearance on the inaugural season of ABC’s The Piano last year, she’s found herself unexpectedly recognised by strangers.
“It wasn’t just in Melbourne either; it was happening in Sydney, Brisbane, practically everywhere I went across Australia!” Stefania exclaims, a hint of astonishment in her voice. “People would approach me, asking, ‘Are you that girl from the show? We’ve all been watching you, my kids have been watching you and they play the piano’.”
While the sudden recognition was a thrilling development for Stefania, she also admits it felt a little daunting. “Even from just that brief hour on screen, kids already look up to me,” she reflects. “It makes me feel like I need to maintain that high standard I’ve set.”
Stefania first captivated audiences at Preston Markets in an early episode of the series, her talent earning her a spot in the grand finale concert held at Sydney’s City Recital Hall. There, she performed a piece by her favourite composer, Clara Wieck Schumann. “I genuinely enjoyed every moment of that wonderful concert; it was incredibly exciting and truly inspiring,” she shares. “[The Piano] and the concert were the most significant experiences of my life… that is, until Carnegie Hall.”
Beyond the Concert Hall: A Global Stage
Stefania needn’t have worried about upholding her elevated standard after the show concluded. In fact, at just 13 years old, she entered the prestigious Brooklyn Music Teachers’ Guild Intercontinental Music Competition. Her exceptional talent shone through as she secured victories in her age group for both piano concerto and solo performances. This remarkable achievement led to an invitation to perform at the world-renowned New York venue, Carnegie Hall.
“I was absolutely ecstatic,” Stefania gushes. “It was a dream come true – and it happened a lot sooner than I ever anticipated.” Following a whirlwind week filled with rehearsals, sound checks, and meetings with conductors, the moment arrived for her to grace the iconic stage.
“There are always those pre-stage nerves, no matter the venue,” Stefania explains. “But this was also infused with so much excitement; I kept thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, I genuinely can’t believe I’m actually here’.”
And, as expected, she delivered a performance that resonated. “After the concerto, the conductor was absolutely beaming,” she recalls. “He was so pleased with how it turned out, and the entire orchestra shared that sentiment.”
Since her return to Australia, Stefania has maintained an impressive pace. She is slated to perform in a series of concerts, with a particular focus on celebrating the works of her beloved Clara Schumann. Furthermore, she is set to professionally record her music, all while navigating the typical demands of school and social life as a teenager. Balancing these commitments can be challenging, but Stefania finds profound joy in how playing the piano for others makes her feel.
“The piano is so much more than just an instrument,” she states. “For me, it’s a conduit, a way to express my emotions and share them with others.”
From Local Roots to International Ambitions
For Malik Traki Johnston, the most peculiar moment stemming from his appearance on The Piano occurred when he spotted a familiar face from his own school watching the program. “I thought, ‘Oh, so this is like a real thing’,” the 17-year-old from Bangalow, in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region, recalls. “It felt quite surreal to see myself on the ABC, especially since I watched ABC so much as a kid. It was a truly fulfilling moment.”
Malik is another young musician who has been diligently pursuing his passion for the piano since filming wrapped. Not long after the show aired, he received an offer of admission to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Relocating south was a significant undertaking, both logistically and financially. However, with the unwavering support of his close-knit community, he organised a fundraiser concert to assist with the costs of residential college accommodation. The event sold out within a week.
“Everyone really loved it; many people offered very kind feedback, and there were even people moved to tears,” Malik shares. “It was incredibly beautiful to witness the community come together like that, and it enabled me to come and study in Melbourne, which is simply amazing.”
Having moved down in February and now holding the distinction of being the youngest student at the conservatorium, Malik admits it still feels a bit like an extended holiday. He particularly enjoys that “it’s not as humid” as his hometown. Post-studies, Malik harbours ambitions of becoming a concert pianist in Europe, driven by his deep love for playing and sharing his music.
“There’s something truly special about knowing you’re the one creating the music, rather than just listening to it online,” he muses. “And being able to interpret the music written by other composers through your own unique perspective is something that fascinates me immensely – that’s truly the most rewarding aspect of playing.”
The Heart of the Music: Community and Connection
Vincenzo Pandolfi, while appreciating the power of music, doesn’t share Malik’s aspiration for global touring. He finds immense satisfaction in playing at home and within his Sydney community. “I’m just an amateur pianist, but I absolutely love it,” he says.
Everywhere Vincenzo performs, he dedicates his music to his wife, Elaine, who passed away just a few months before filming began, following a stroke she had suffered ten years prior. “I still miss my wife every single day, and my wedding ring remains on my finger,” he shares, his voice tinged with emotion. “Every week, without fail, she always bought Women’s Day. Then I ended up in Women’s Day, and of course, she wasn’t able to see it, which is incredibly sad.”
He composed a tribute song for her last Christmas, his first without her presence. “I don’t think anyone particularly likes it, probably due to my older man’s singing, but the sentiment is what counts.”
While Vincenzo acknowledges that he will always carry the grief of his wife’s loss, his participation in The Piano has provided a valuable source of comfort and motivation. “It gave me an incentive to keep playing, to continue learning new things, and to constantly strive for improvement.”
He remains in close contact with other participants from the first season of The Piano. He speaks with pride, like a doting father, about Stefania’s Carnegie Hall performance. He happily shares that Gemma has welcomed a baby and mentions that he composed a left-hand piece for DJ, who lost the use of his right hand after a stroke in his early twenties. The pair are now aiming to organise a concert in support of the Stroke Recovery Association.
“I just thought I might as well leverage this little bit of notoriety and put it to some good use,” Vincenzo explains.
Ultimately, for him, the focus remains firmly on the music itself. He practices daily at home, busks every Wednesday, and regularly plays at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a cancer hospital. “I’m not a virtuoso, and I don’t play overly difficult pieces, but I’ve realised that it’s not so much what you play, but how you play it,” he states. “The other day, I was playing [at the hospital], and a gentleman said, ‘I’ve had a dreadful morning, but you’ve made it so much better.’ It’s lovely to hear feedback like that.”
Most heartening for Vincenzo is hearing from parents who share that the show has inspired their children to take up the piano. “Somehow, in a small way, you make a difference in someone’s life,” Vincenzo concludes. “And that is incredibly rewarding.”
Stream the brand-new season of The Piano now on ABC iview.
