Echoes of Meaning: Victoria Meng’s Journey Through Music and Charity
- WOMCO
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Victoria Meng was awarded the Platinum Prize and the Technical Mastery Musical Genius Special Prize in the Age 15-17, at the Global Genius Music Competition 2025 Spring Season.
Biography
A dedicated and compassionate student with a strong passion for piano, writing, skiing, and coding. As the sole founder of Jiayuan Charity, I have led a range of youth-driven initiatives that combine the arts, social impact, and community engagement. I am an award-winning pianist with a deep commitment to using music as a vehicle for change, and I actively seek to inspire others through creativity, leadership, and service.
Education
Huntingtower School (Melbourne, Australia)
Year 11 student
Key Achievements & Activities
Piano Performance
• Multiple-time winner of international piano competitions, recognized for both technical skill and expressive interpretation.
• Regular performer at charity concerts, school recitals, and community events.
• Recently performed Liszt repertoire at a youth competition, emphasizing emotional depth over technical perfection.
Founder – Jiayuan Charity
• Founded in 2022 as a youth-led charity promoting education, inclusion, and creativity.
• Recognized with five awards from government and community organizations for leadership and innovation.
• Member of the National Council of Women Victoria (NCWV); regularly attends events at Parliament House.
• Featured in a national interview on SBS Radio International, highlighting our mission and impact.
Major Initiatives (2024–2025)
• Jiayuan Charity Nick Melbourne Marathon
Promoted youth wellness and inclusion through sports.
• Charity Dinner at Box Hill Town Hall (November 17, 2025)
Hosted nearly 600 guests, uniting community leaders and youth around shared values.
• Charity Concert at Monash Alexander Theatre (December 12, 2025)
Combined music and community spirit to support disadvantaged youth.
• Upcoming: Reading & Writing Competition & Book Publication
Promotes youth storytelling, with proceeds supporting Indigenous children’s education.
Skills & Interests
• Piano Performance: Classical training; expressive, patient, and self-motivated.
• Leadership: Visionary, team-oriented, and community-driven.
• Writing: Reflective essays, speeches, and storytelling with emotional clarity.
• Coding: Learning programming as a tool for innovation and digital outreach.
• Sports: Recreational skiing with a love for nature and personal challenge.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your piano training journey, and your goals for the future in music?
I wouldn’t say I’ve always loved playing the piano, but from a young age, it felt natural—almost inevitable. I was raised in a family of musicians and my mother and grandparents are either all professional pianists or passionate performers, so music was simply part of the atmosphere I grew up in.
The turning point came when I co-founded Jiayuan Charity with a group of friends. Through organising charity concerts and community events, I discovered how music could do more than entertain - it could make a difference. That’s when piano became something I genuinely enjoyed, not from a vague sense of loving music or simply the piece, but its capacity to serve a greater purpose.
I’ve been reflecting a lot on the role of art in life. To me, art deepens our experience—it helps us reflect and gives meaning to what we live through. When I play the piano, I listen more closely - to the music, yes, but also to myself. Music allows me to express what words often can’t.
Of course, private practice is essential, but it isn’t everything. As human beings, we crave inspiration and purpose. I’m incredibly grateful to lead Jiayuan Charity. The growth and encouragement I’ve experienced through this initiative have far exceeded what I ever expected to give. In every performance, we act as a team, and through music, and through that, we’ve built trust, support, and, most meaningfully, respect.
Even when our events have a competitive element, they’re grounded in encouragement, not rivalry. We uplift one another. While I may not pursue a professional piano performance career, I know piano will stay by me for a long time. For me, music is about purpose, connection, and endurance.
Learn more about Jiayuan Charity:
YouTube:
What was it about this particular piece by Liszt that made you choose it for your performance? How did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
I chose this piece by Liszt precisely because it was difficult—almost intimidating. That sense of being just out of reach was what drew me to it. Since I don’t plan to pursue a professional performance career, I didn’t feel the same kind of pressure others might. I approached it not with a rigid plan, but with curiosity. It was a personal challenge.
I remember when I was younger, I asked my teacher for a difficult piece. My teacher, my mom, and even my grandfather—all of whom are musicians—thought it was too early. But I’ve always believed that trying something beyond your grasp isn’t a mistake but rather a way to grow. I read Shakespeare as a child not because I understood everything, but because the exposure gave me a foundation, so that now, at 16, I can finally see more of what those works meant.
From a career-oriented standpoint, maybe it wasn’t the “right” time to play Liszt. But for someone who plays out of love, not obligation, perhaps there’s no better time. Someday I might not have the luxury to take on a piece like this. So I ask myself, why not now?
Interestingly, I never felt anxious working on Feux Follets. I felt calm—at peace with its difficulty. That allowed me to slow down and focus on each phrase with intention. My teacher always encourages that kind of patient, mindful work. It wasn’t about speed or mastery—it was about learning to love the process.
What did a typical day of practice look like for you, and how did your family support your passion? How do you manage your time between training and schoolwork?
Honestly, I don’t think you can ever perfectly manage everything. Life constantly shifts, and all we can do is choose what feels most important in a given moment, and give it our full attention.
My family has been incredibly supportive. My parents and grandparents, being musicians themselves, have taken a surprisingly relaxed approach. They understand that music must bring joy, not pressure. They’ve never pushed me to practice or treated it as an obligation. Their trust allowed me to grow at my own pace.
Sometimes school takes the front seat, and other times music does. But I’ve found that everything—school, music, and charity work—feeds into each other. They all teach focus, discipline, and empathy, in different ways. I’m very lucky to have a family that values not just achievement, but happiness—and that has made all the difference.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you’d like to thank (such as family members, mentors, or supporters)?
Participating in this competition has been an inspiring and meaningful experience. It gave me the chance to dive deeply into a challenging piece, to perform with purpose, and to reflect on what music really means to me. I truly appreciated the atmosphere—not just of excellence, but of encouragement and shared passion. It reminded me that music isn’t about comparison; it’s about connection.
I’m especially grateful to my teacher. Through his teaching, he’s shown me what it means to be both kind and joyful—and how to bring those values into music and life.
His lessons go far beyond technique or interpretation. His lessons often have philosophical elements—asking us to consider what it means to be human, how art shapes our existence, and even how we as living beings relate to the world around us. He has never once pressured or rushed me. Instead, he’s shown me how patience and depth lead to growth. His wisdom has shaped not only my playing, but my thinking.
And of course, I want to thank my family. Their constant support, their understanding, and the musical atmosphere they’ve created have been a quiet, steady source of strength. I feel incredibly fortunate to grow up in a home where music and kindness are part of daily life.
