AMEB WA

Following the 2025 AMEB WA Awards Ceremony, we caught up with some of our award winners to chat about their journeys.

11-year-old violinist Ethan Luo won the 2025 AJ Leckie Award in association with the West Australian Music Teachers' Association for the Best Associate Diploma and also dazzled us with a performance of Debussy's Feux d'artifice on the night!

How did your musical journey begin?
My name is Ethan Luo, and I am 11 years old. I play both the piano and the cello. My former piano teacher was Lawrence Ng, my current piano teacher is Raymond Yong and my cello teacher is Xiaole Wu.

I started learning the piano when I was 6 years old. I liked how the piano can play both melody and harmony, and it sounds really beautiful. As I kept learning, I enjoyed playing different pieces and getting better over time. Later, I also started learning the cello, which is fun and lets me play music with others.

Which AMEB exams have you completed?
I have completed the AMEB piano Grade 8 comprehensive passing with an A+ in 2023, and I also have completed the AMEB piano AmusA exam with distinction.

What was it like receiving your Diploma and Award at the Ceremony?
I felt honored and surprised to receive the AJ Leckie Award for Best Associate Diploma at the 2025 Awards Ceremony. It was very special to be recognised, and I was proud of perform at the ceremony, it was a great experience and I really enjoyed sharing my music with everyone.

What did you find most rewarding — and most challenging — about preparing for your exam?
The most rewarding part was when my pieces started to sound really good after lots of practice. It made me feel happy and proud. The most challenging part was learning some of the difficult sections and the general knowledge section, making sure I stayed focused and read a lot about composers' lives, their music, and the background of different pieces. But in the end, it was worth it.

What musical goals are you working towards next?
Next, I want to keep improving my piano playing and learn more challenging pieces. I am also preparing for my LMusA diploma. I also want to get better at cello and enjoy playing in ensembles with others.

What do you enjoy outside of music?
Outside of music, I enjoy playing basketball. I like the game because it’s fast and fun, but I’m also very careful about protecting my fingers since I need them for piano.

Please join us in congratulating Ethan on these outstanding achievements. We look forward to following his musical journey in the years ahead.

Musica Viva Australia’s national chamber music competition is now open for entries, inviting school-age musicians to perform in small ensembles (3–8 players) and submit a recorded performance. Open to all instruments and voice combinations.

🎶 Two levels:
- Foundation (up to approx. AMEB Grade 4) — free to enter
- Championship (approx. Grade 5+) — $15 per player
🎶 Receive feedback and coaching opportunities
🎶 Finalists perform live at Melbourne Recital Centre
🎶 Cash prizes across both sections

Key dates:
➡ Entries open 1 May and close 28 May
➡ Finalists announced 24 June
➡ National Final: 29 August in Melbourne

Whether you're just starting out or working at a higher level, this is a chance to build ensemble skills, gain performance experience, and connect your AMEB studies with real-world music-making.

👉 Find out more and enter: musicaviva.com.au/strikeachord

AMEB Teachers based in the regions are invited to join AMEB Academic Advisor Dr Gaby Gunders for a free online catch-up to discuss all things AMEB Exams.

Whether you have questions about exam processes, student preparation or any other queries about our exams, join us for an informal chat and Q&A. This is also a great networking opportunity for our regionally based colleagues.

Wed 20 May | 10am
RSVP to [email protected] to receive the Teams meeting link

We’re excited to see AMEB examiner Dr Adam Pinto presenting this upcoming WAMTA PD session on the music of Miriam Hyde.

'Keyboard Choreography: The Music of Miriam Hyde' offers practical insights into teaching Hyde’s repertoire across the AMEB syllabus, alongside a live recital from Grade 5 to Licentiate level.

A valuable professional learning opportunity for teachers and a chance to discover more of this rich Australian repertoire.

📅 Sun 17 May 2026 | 2–4pm
📍 Callaway Auditorium, UWA
https://events.humanitix.com/miriam-hyde-workshop-with-adam-pinto

Discounts available, including a special offer for AMEB teachers and FREE entry for full time students!

Following the recent awards ceremony, we caught up with some of our award winners to chat about their journeys.

15-year-old violinist Joshua Woods studies with Riley Skevington and is a Music and Academic Scholarship student at Hale School. Joshua received his AMusA in Violin (with Distinction) and was also awarded the AUSTA WA Graham Wood OAM Award: Diploma Orchestral Strings for 2025.

Tell us a bit about your musical journey.
I began leaning the violin at the age of 8 and have loved performing ever since, whether as a soloist, chamber musician, or orchestral player. I started through the school string program, and I chose to play violin because my older sister was playing violin already and it sounded nice. I started in small group lessons which were a lot of fun.

Tell us a bit about your experience at the recent Awards Ceremony.
The Award Ceremony was a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was great to see the other talented musicians at UWA for the awards night. I enjoyed celebrating with my family, teachers and AMEB staff, and it made me feel special wearing the graduation gown. And getting the (AUSTA) National Graham Wood OAM Award for Best Diploma Candidate in Orchestral Strings 2025 has been one of the highlights. I took the AMusA exam one year before the awards ceremony, so it bought back great memories for me.

What did you find most rewarding (or challenging) in preparing for your exam?
The Associate Diploma exam was a memorable experience. With the added support of my violin teacher and collaboration with the piano accompanist it helped me grow as a musician by gaining skills and knowledge, overcoming my fear and setting clear goals that motivated me. I feel that AMEB exams are a valuable learning experience that give me a real sense of accomplishment. It was challenging to prepare the AMusA 4 pieces at the same time to a high standard while preparing the general knowledge for each piece, but it was interesting to know the story behind each piece of music.

Who has supported you most along the way?
My violin teachers throughout the years, piano accompanists and my family. My mum played piano accompaniment for me in my lower AMEB Grade exams and performances and showed me that music can be joyful.

What’s been your favourite musical experience so far?
One of my favourite music experiences was AYO National Music Camp in Adelaide at the start of this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the high standard of music-making, exploring Adelaide, and forming new friendships with talented peers and mentors. As one of the youngest participants the whole AYO experience it made me realise the power of human teamwork and the impact of being part of something much bigger than myself.

Another highlight was performing in the Musica Viva's Strike A Chord National Grand Final Competition 2025 at Melbourne Recital Centre with my school friends. We have been playing together as the Hale Bravura String Quartet since Year 7.

What’s next for you?
I would like to work on goals such as returning to the AYO and the Strike A Chord National Finals. I am also preparing towards my LMusA exam. I have received the overall junior solo string prize and overall instrument awards at Eisteddfods; therefore, I would like to challenge myself in the Open Section.

What do you get up to outside of music?
I like to cycle and go for walks with my dog Daisy.

I’m sure you’ll join us in congratulating Joshua on his Diploma and award. We look forward to keeping an eye on his future musical endeavours.

On 19 March, examiners, candidates, family, friends and teachers came together for the 2025 AMEB WA Awards Ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievement in the arts.

Diploma recipients donned academic gowns as they were presented with their awards, alongside recipients of major annual prizes. It was a chance to celebrate the high level of achievement from some of WA’s emerging performers in music and speech and drama.

Thank you to the West Australian Music Teachers' Association, the Speech & Drama Teachers Association, AUSTA WA, and Zenith Music for your ongoing support.

Our warmest congratulations to all those recognised across the evening.

School holidays are a great time to pause, take stock, and think about what’s ahead.

If you’re in your last few years of high-school, it’s a good time to consider how your music or speech and drama studies can contribute to your WACE. AMEB exams and the AMEB Award Program, can contribute towards your WA Certificate of Education, while also recognising the work you’re already doing in lessons, performances and your wider arts involvement.

It’s a practical way to make your efforts count both inside and outside the classroom, while building skills that carry well beyond school.

Now is a great time to explore these opportunities. Have a chat with your teacher, or give our friendly staff a call to chat about your options on 08 6488 3059

We’re committed to making your exam process straightforward and stress-free now offering more afterschool, evening, and holiday sessions for busy families:

- Plan around school/uni and work
- Reduce last-minute rushing
- Focus on your examination in a relaxed setting