Bassoonist Mikano Taguchi, 37, of the Hong Kong Symphonietta realised her dream of becoming a professional musician after joining the Asian Youth Orchestra in 1993. As the Hong Kong-based youth orchestra recruits members for a new summer season, she recalls how the experience changed her life.
There aren't many professional orchestras in Hong Kong and it is very difficult for young people to get jobs as musicians, especially when there are so many talented youngsters studying music. I am very lucky to be in the position I am now in.
It was my dream to be a professional musician and now my dream has come true - but I didn't begin playing the bassoon until quite late. The bassoon is not a very familiar instrument in Japan.
When I was young, I played the piano. Then, when I went to high school, I took up the clarinet. I was always interested in the sound of the bassoon but I didn't get the chance to play it until later on, when I was 18 years old.
When I started to play the instrument, I had no idea that one day it would become such a big part of my life. The turning point was when I joined the Asian Youth Orchestra because it was there that I met my teacher. That was an experience that changed my life.
I joined the orchestra in 1993 and I was with it for three years. When I joined, I was in Japan and I just saw a flier for one of their auditions. I went along and it turned out to be an experience that would have a profound and lasting effect on me.
