How old were you when you started composing?
I was around 4 years old when I first started composing, but I made my first actual piece when I was 7.

What do you love most about composing music?
What I love most about composing music is the freedom and creativity that I have to create something on my own. When I compose, I get to express my feelings, experiment with notes, and turn small ideas into full pieces. I also love exploring different note combinations that bring my piece to life!

Tell us a little about your winning IYWCC composition.
My piece is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and a strange feeling of dreams. My piece starts off with a simple melody, representing a person drifting to sleep. They start to dream, but later find themselves in a nightmare, looking for an escape. When they successfully manage to escape, the person is woken up by the jolt of an alarm clock. I wanted my piece to take the listener on a mini journey through a magical world of dreaming.

What was your process/approach to composing your piece for IYWCC?
The process to composing my piece started off with a simple melody. I later experimented with different chords, notes, and rhythms to match the mood I wanted. I also thought about the changes in mood, from peaceful to lively, and adjusted the piece. One step at a time, I explored new ideas and let my creativity guide me.

What is your advice to someone who is interested in composing a piece but does not know where to start?
I would say to start small. Play around with different notes, melodies, and rhythms, even if it's just a few notes, and try to figure out what feelings you want to express. Later, add chords and different harmonies to make it more interesting! Remember, don't panic if it doesn't sound perfect at first. Composing is supposed to be fun, and not something to stress about! Take your time, and adjust your piece accordingly until you create something you're proud of.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
When I was 4 years old, I started to compose my own music! I made up songs while playing with my friends. I sang, and they played along with instruments. I didn't know what I was saying exactly, but I remember having lots of fun! From that day, I always played around on the piano and even hummed melodies I silently made in my head. I love expressing myself with music, and I've been passionate about it ever since!