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Violinist Hayley Jiang will have all eyes on her at the popular concert being held at Hagley Park early next month.

The talented 15-year-old has been playing the violin since she was six years old, and at just 13, she was selected for a Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) youth ensemble programme, Virtuosi, and for the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO).

Last year, aged 14, she was again accepted into the NZSSSO programme and added the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra National Youth Orchestra (NZSO NYO) to her list of accomplishments.

“I loved getting to work with all types of musicians from Ōtautahi and beyond, and learning in interesting ways,” Hayley says.

The young star is now looking forward to the next high note of her musical journey – performing a violin solo at Mitre10 Sparks on Saturday 8 February. She will be accompanied by CSO who are headlining the concert, supported by several guest musicians and singers.

With the free concert expected to attract a crowd of up to 20,000, it will be the biggest audience the Rangi Ruru Girls’ School student has ever performed for.

“I am looking forward to the energy of the audience, and the feeling of being up there on stage,” Hayley says. 

“I will be playing Vivaldi’s Spring Movement 1 from Four Seasons. I love how it’s so iconic, and how so many musicians I look up to have played it.”

Hayley’s musical dream is to perform on world-class stages and with professional orchestras overseas.

“What I love most about playing the violin is when I pick up my instrument, it feels like I’m in my own world, where everything is flowing out of my body and soul.” 

Mitre10 Sparks 2025 will feature a range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, pop and electronic.

The free, all-ages event runs from 6.30pm to 9.40pm on 8 February at North Hagley Park. The concert kicks off at 7pm and concludes with a fireworks show backed by CSO from 9.30pm.

Learn more about the event at What’s On.