Then silence as award-winning pianist Gabriella Smart settles at the keyboard, fingers poised, and the audience is treated to a world-class recital of works by Chopin and Chinese composers Qin Yi, Zhu Jian-er and Tan Dun. And all on a Friday night in the Georgetown Town Hall. The event was a fundraiser for the Georgetown Primary School.

Stephen Kitschke, president of the Georgetown Primary School Governing Council and Gabriella’s cousin, said that it was Gabriella’s local connection that made the event possible.

“Her father, orthodontist Dr Lawrie Smart, was born and bred in Narridy,” he said.

”Gabriella spent a lot of time in the area during her childhood.”

Stephen and Gabriella are both one of nine siblings, so there were always plenty of cousins to play with. Her performance provided an opportunity to catch up with family and friends.

Gabriella has performed in Paris, Manchester, Beijing and Shanghai and widely throughout Australia and, if you check her website, the concert at Georgetown is up there with the others.

It was a wonderful evening. The music was magic and I had to keep pinching myself to remind myself where I was. At the end of the recital Georgetown Primary School student Amy Muirhead presented Gabriella with a basket packed with local goodies.

The school fundraising committee did a fabulous job, the evening rounded off with a sumptuous supper and tasting of local wines.

PHOTO: WORLD-CLASS...Award-winning pianist Gabriella Smart with Georgetown student Amy Muirhead.