LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Two high school students from Lee’s Summit will travel all the way to Australia this summer and perform at Sydney Opera House after being chosen from 18,000 students across the world.
Cara Cha, a 15-year-old incoming sophomore at Lee’s Summit High School, has played the viola since 5th grade and practices almost every day.
Cha, along with 17-year-old Lee’s Summit West student Seth Keep, will represent the metro in Sydney in July.
“Sydney Opera House is such a famous and well-known place,” she said. “This is a very new opportunity for me and it’s very nerve-racking.”
Cha spoke to 41 Action News on Monday and said she has had a love of the viola for years.
“I went in and tried it and I knew that was going to be my instrument,” she said. “It always has a rich and deep tone. I die for that sound. I love it so much.”
Cha practices one to two hours every day and was able to perform at Carnegie Hall last year.
Ahead of her performance at Sydney Opera House, she said being a part of the event was still tough to believe.
“It’s still processing through my head that it’s going to happen,” she said. “Performing there is absolutely incredible and it’s a very serious once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Cha won’t be alone on the journey. Her family also plans to join her for the trip and show support.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity and as a parent, I’m very proud seeing her growth,” said her mother, Sunyun Choi. “When we are all together there, she’ll know we are behind her.”
The performance in Sydney will be part of the High School Honors Performance Series and will feature around 250 musicians from around the world.
Cha and her family leave for the trip in mid-July.
