a Violinist

Shing Yan's Wish Violin: I wish to be a violinist

Fifteen year old Shing Yan, under the influence of his cousin, fell in love with violins. He started learning in Primary 3, and he has now reached a Grade 7 level. Last year, he became the leader of his school's string orchestra. In 2008, this passionate music lover developed a persistent fever. He had a check up in a hospital and was diagnosed as having cancer. Then, he had a year of treatment and because of that, he had to give up his violin.

Violin brings so much joy and satisfaction to Shing Yan that he would spend hours practicing each day. When he was in the hospital, he came to know Make-A-Wish^® Hong Kong and he wished to use this opportunity to realise his dream. As our volunteers visited his home, he told them clearly that he wanted a handmade violin from Europe so that he could further his skill in the future. With the help from our sponsor, we found 3 violins from which to make his choice. In the end, he chose the one from Germany. Shing Yan said, 'This violin is already very close to being my "dream violin"!'

Shing Yan almost had to give up his dream of being a violinist due to his treatment. He felt so lost and frustrated. Under the encouragement of his parents, teachers and schoolmates, he managed to hang on. He again wishes to be a string orchestra leader in the near future. Right now he has started preparing for his Grade 7 examination. Since the school music teacher cannot teach Shing Yan to play the violin, volunteers have begun searching for a new teacher who can bring his skill to another level.

Shing Yan has completed his hard treatment and can now hold his new violin. He has just performed at the launch of Make-A-Wish^® Hong Kong's fundraising event, Share the Joy of a Wish. He spread the joy of dreams come true and the Christmas spirit all around by playing a beautiful melody. We wish that he can soon realise his dream - learning to play violin in Vienna and becoming an outstanding violinist or conductor.