KUWAIT: Arab and European musicians are enchanted by the magical performance of nine-year-old Kuwaiti pianist Lulwa Al-Shamlan. Lulwa won a number of prizes in and outside Kuwait at a very young age, Lulwa's father told KUNA.

While competing in one of the tournaments, a Russian pianist, in his 30s, said that he first heard of Kuwait thanks to the young talented Lulwa. Despite her peaceful nature; Lulwa's cry for recognition was clear enough to earn her the respect of experts locally and internationally, her father said. He added that, she would also help her mother in teaching piano to beginners.

Having the ability to face crowds in live performances accounted for her success in a way, her mother Ofelia said. Judges would compliment her ability to master hard pieces composed by pioneer pianists such as Chopin and Heyden at a young age, she added.

They would also note her ability to compose new pieces during competitions, as she (Lulwa) showed utter creativity, Ofelia noted. It seemed that Lulwa, whose first concert was held at the age of five, had set a goal for herself to take part in prestigious concerts worldwide, she said.

The three-and-a-half hours of training paid well in 2008 as she was admitted into Wells Cathedral School, one of UK's prestigious musical schools, she said. Lulwa studied there for a year; nevertheless, was forced into leaving the school due to lack of resources, she said.

Since then, Lulwa was receiving financial support from Loyac - a center established to support youth -, the private sector and Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, she added. Thanks to the financial support she received, Lulwa was back as a part-time student where she traveled to the UK every month where she receives instructions from music professors, Ofelia pointed out.

Lulwa's professors shared their believe in the child's promising talent and success, she said. As for the prizes she won, Ofelia said that her daughter won first prize in Kuwait's 5th International Chopin Competition in March 2010, along with winning an award for "Best Kuwaiti Pianist" in her group.

This was followed by securing second place in the 1st Gulf International Chopin Competition with competitors "up to 12 years of age," she added. Her first Arab competition came in July 2010, when she won third place in the 3rd Solhi Al Wadi International Piano Competition in Syria, she said.

She noted to the fact that the competition was grouping 51 participants, representing 15 countries "with Lulwa being the only Kuwaiti participant." The year 2011 witnessed Lulwa's success in winning first place in duet performance, as well as second place in her solo performance during Merignac Pianoopen, an international piano competition in France. Lulwa's latest achievement was seen in June 2011, when she won third place in Concorso Argento International Piano Competition in Italy. - KUNA