Child prodigy to play with Mosman Symphony Orchestra in “Tales of Love and Death”.

By JACK KELLY

For many, the early years are exclusively reserved just for the basics; reading, writing and arithmetic – but for young Ellie Malonzo those times were spent playing and composing music for the violin.

“I began playing the violin when I was five and then started composing when I was six.”

Now, at the ripe old age of 14 and with countless hours of practice behind her, the young musician spends a lot of time travelling and performing wherever the strum of her chord can take her.

This weekend, she will be alongside the Mosman Symphony Orchestra with music director, Andrew Del Riccio, delighted to host the young talent.

“Ellie reached out to the orchestra with a proposal play here in order to broaden her Australian experiences and reach a portion of the classical music audience in Sydney.

“We are always open and extremely appreciative to have talented musicians come and play as soloists with us. However, given Ellie’s stellar trajectory it won’t be long before she is called upon to play in professional orchestras around the world,” Mr Del Riccio said.

The Perth local will join the Mosman Orchestra at the Art Gallery this weekend (Saturday and Sunday 16 + 17 March).

Compositions will include an original piece written by Ellie as well as numerous other symphonies.

“Apart from Ellie’s Violin Concerto composition, the concerts this weekend, entitled Tales of Love and Death, will feature Ellie playing Dvorak’s Romance, the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky and pianist Gregory Kinda playing the Macabre Totentanz by Liszt,” Mr Del Riccio explained.

Ellie originally wrote the composition when she was 12, however, admits to making adjustments since handing it over to the orchestra.

“When the orchestra asked for the parts, I was like, oh, yeah, I’ll just put in a few little revisions. And then by the end of the week, I almost completely rewrote the entire piece. So I’m very excited for the premiere of that,” she said.

Ellie may be a natural prodigy when it comes to playing and composing music but she also has the ambition to match, often throwing her name in the ring to gain musical opportunities.

Watch: Child prodigy Ellie Malonzo play with the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra.

The wunderkind’s mother, Anne Meiklejohn, says she provides unconditional support for her daughter but is often in the back seat and sometimes even out of the car when it comes to Ellie applying herself for musical roles.

“She just applies for all these things and then she comes back to tell me what’s happening.

It’s the same as this, she says to me, I’ve been invited to play with the Mosman Symphony Orchestra. I ask where are they? And she says, in Sydney – can we go?” Ms Meiklejohn retold.

In 2022 alone, Ellie won first prize in 8 national and international musical talent competitions, including the Brisbane International Youth Music Festival, the American Music Talent Competition and the London International Music Competition.

“I’ve been very, very lucky to have lots of great teachers who are very supportive. They’ve always been willing to go the extra mile – my violin teacher, Paul Wright is one of my greatest inspirations, and my parents have been very supportive as well.”

Ms Meiklejohn says she is extremely proud of her daughter’s achievements.

“I’m very proud of her, she’s so motivated, and she’s her own driver, which is wonderful. I’m just going along for the ride.”

Book your tickets to see Ellie and the Mosman Symphony Orchestra HERE.