She has performed in public from the age of five, as the youngest member of a youth orchestra in Hamburg and as soloist; she won first prize as solo violinist in three consecutive years (aged 7, 8 & 9 years) at the Jungend Musiziert Competition, Hamburg; she appeared on German T.V. twice at the age of 8 and 10 years playing Vivaldi and Haydn Violin Concertos; she toured Austria and skied on the Alps at 11; she moved to Goa at the age of 12 and made a significant impact in her studies and in her violin playing here.

She’s only 18, has decided on the violin as a career, is preparing for her FTCL and for her scholarship auditions at the Royal College in London next year and she is sharing her love and talent for the violin with 7 violin students aged 6 – 9 years. This remarkable young lady is Sanya Myla Cotta.

Les:How did you start on your violin love journey?

Sanya: At the age of 3, I accompanied my father to the Hamburg Conservatory and was drawn to the sound of the violins.

Schubert: (father) She insisted on playing the violin, so I began teaching her. She was accepted in the Hamburg Conservatory at the age of 4 though the minimum joining age was 6.

How did a little tot like you acquire mastery?

I practiced 3 hours a day. Sometimes I would get up early in the morning and play the violin. I took every opportunity to play in youth orchestras and to perform.

Were you always like this?

I suppose so.

Maxy: (mother) She could read before she joined School. She was outstanding in everything: needlework, acting, singing, dancing.

Dancing?

At 4, I imitated everything Michael Jackson did and I learnt tap dancing at 7.

How do you achieve this excellence?

Extensive reading, pursuit of all experiences, a burning curiosity to discover new things and a determination to master everything I like to do.

Did you have good teachers?

Yes, I’ve been very fortunate. Renate Bruce from the Hamburg Conservatory developed my self image by encouraging me to perform. She emphasized that playing should be fun, challenged me with difficult pieces, built up my confidence by putting me in the limelight constantly. Myra Shroff is meticulous about intonation, discipline, experimentation in fingering and building an extensive repertoire.

Any other influences?

Recently foreign artists have come to Goa, performed and conducted master classes. Hartmut Krause (German), Pelassi (French), Esther Hoppe (Swedish), Mary Bird (British). And I’ve had the opportunity of performing the Bach double violin Concerto at Margao with Mary Bird, first violinist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. A fantastic experience. My family and friends are keen musicians or music lovers. Their encouragement and enthusiasm has motivated me greatly.