Tahnaya gets to party with Andre Rieu
A year ago I had a vision. I not only dreamed of going to one of Andre Rieu's concerts but I decided I actually wanted to meet Andre in person. This was before he announced he was touring Australia. Most people laughed at me.
Not long after this, someone in Main Street Mornington told me Andre Rieu was bringing his Schonbrunn Palace and concert to Australia. I was so excited! I immediately rang Grandpa and invited him to come with me, saying we could each pay for our own ticket. He accepted with joy.
My journey began. I played my violin on the street, sharing my music with the community, hoping to raise the funds to buy my ticket to his concert. I felt sure I would create my vision because I felt it come alive inside me.
From the very beginning the community supported me with my violin playing as I busked on the street. My community helped my vision become reality. As I kept playing my violin, we got a phone call from Gary Bennett in Germany. He is one of the main tenor singers in Andre Rieu's orchestra. He had heard about me and what I was doing and had told Andre Rieu about me. Andre wanted my details. My dream was beginning to manifest.
Even though at one stage everything looked like it wouldn't happen and others had given up on my vision, I had no doubt at all that I would manifest my dream. I held my vision. I kept it alive inside me.
I want to thank all of you here in my community on the Mornington Peninsula for supporting me in creating the vision of my heart. Last Saturday night, the 15th of November 2008, I watched Andre Rieu in concert from the VIP circle. It was amazing!
After the concert I met Gary Bennett and I was invited to attend the after party with Andre Rieu. Moments later my vision became reality when I was introduced to Andre Rieu himself. We talked and I gave him a copy of the book I have written, Meditations for Kids by Kids. He told me he would read it. Andre Rieu gave me a hug and I knew then that if you follow the dreams of your heart and do what it takes, your visions WILL come alive.
Thank you so much to everyone out there who believed in me and my vision. Now I know what community is all about.
Tahnaya, 15