After another successful audition, Miss Van Wyk was offered a place in the SYO's Symphonic Wind Orchestra, taking up the 2022 regional scholarship position which she's achieved for the second consecutive year.

"I feel really lucky to have gotten [this scholarship] again," Miss Van Wyk said.

"There's not really many opportunities like this for regional musicians, and it's pretty rare for woodwind and brass instruments as well, so I'm feeling really grateful."

The young musician has played saxophone for the past five years, and currently plays at a level 7 in accordance with the Australian Music Examinations Board; and the highest AMEB level for saxophone ceases at 8.

From the ages of 12 and up to 25, the SYO only offers positions to around 60 gifted recipients within the orchestra, which is mainly comprised of Sydney-based musicians.

"There's just a small amount of regional players," Miss Van Wyk explained.

"To get to the in-person rehearsals, usually we take a train from Lithgow through to Sydney, go to rehearsals for three-hours and then come back in the same day."

Though the pandemic has seen most of the SYO musicians attending online rehearsals, Miss Van Wyk's regional scholarship offers flexible attendance conditions; where city commuting happens every three weeks.

"Because of COVID, even the musicians living in Sydney were attending rehearsals via Zoom meetings for the last six-months," she explained.

"Though with the flexible attendance, I'll go in-person to Sydney every three weeks, and attend weekly rehearsals via zoom for the other weeks in between."

Miss Van Wyk is a also singer, and player of both the piano and violin as well.

She has earned a plethora of achievements to date, from being crowned 2020's junior champion in the Australian National Busking Championships to recording music for the Lord of the Rings, to name a few.

Miss Van Wyk's perseverance and dedication is something that continues to pave the way for success, which young aspiring musicians can look to in times where motivation lacks.

"I'd say just keep practicing and playing what you love, not just doing the grades," she explained.

"It can get a little chore-like playing the same pieces over and over - because you're trying to get the music perfect - so get that motivation back by pulling out a different piece and changing it up with different styles of music.

"A lot of my grade pieces are classical, so I'll pull out a jazz piece or a Disney piece that I really enjoy; and if you're playing pieces that you enjoy then there's a higher chance you'll keep going with it, and you'll get much more out of the experience."