Since she first picked up the instrument in 2004, Amy has continued a passion for music which started with violin lessons at the age of four.

Amy is currently preparing for her debut solo recital at Kinross Wolaroi School on Sunday, an event which will help her raise funds for an upcoming tour to Europe with the Australian Youth Orchestra.

"It's something I've been wanting to do for a few years. This is an opportunity I wouldn't get in Sydney. I really wanted to do something before I go overseas next month," she said.

Amy currently studies under violist Roger Benedict at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she will complete a Bachelor of Music (performance) in 2008.

She said the sound of the viola captivated her immediately.

"I started an arts degree at Sydney uni and stopped playing violin, then my mum gave me a viola. After two weeks I was converted and I was convinced that was what I wanted to do. Because I hadn't studied violin seriously for about three years, I had more of an open mind. I saw the viola not as an alternative to violin, but as an instrument itself. It has a much more interesting sound," she said.

She will be accompanied by her mother Anne during Sunday's performance.

Amy said the experience of working with other people was something she had always loved about music.

"It's the contact and conversation with other people that I like. It's wonderful to be able to talk and work through music. It's also a very beautiful sound, and it gives people an experience they might not normally have just listening to a CD," she said.

Contact Kinross Wolaroi School for more information about Amy's recital on Sunday.