Carol Yue Wang has become the first bassoonist to win the National section of the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition in Geelong, winning a $10,000 Overseas Travel Scholarship sponsored by the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. Clarinettist Magdalenna Krstevska came in second, taking home $3,000 – as well as the Audience Prize – while violinist Liam Osborne came in third, winning $2,000. Wang, who is a student at the Australian National Academy of Music, spoke to Limelight about her win.

Carol WangAidan Boase and Carol Wang. Photo: supplied

How did it feel to win first prize?

So many thoughts and emotions went through my mind, where do I even start? I try not to make a big deal out of it but it is probably the biggest performance achievement I’ve had in these past three years living in Australia. I was very shocked, of course, at that moment when my name was announced and next second I just wanted to give my bassoon and me a pat on the shoulder and say “well done”. While giving the speech I felt proud as a bassoonist and also about being the first bassoonist to win the...