Sydney Hosts Inaugural Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness "Little Musician" Contest Young Voices and Inspiring Melodies Promote Harmony and Peace

Selina Kwong

The gentle sound of music and the innocent voices of children filled the Buddha Hall, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta, composing a heartfelt symphony of hope and peace for the community. On 26 July, the 2026 Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness Little Musician Contest Awards Ceremony was held at Nan Tien Parramatta. The event was jointly organised for the first time by the Hsing Yun Education Foundation Australia, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) Sydney, and Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta, with BLIA Sydney East Subchapter 1 serving as the co-organiser. More than 200 guests, parents, and community members gathered to celebrate the children's musical talents and their inspiring interpretation of the theme "Harmony and Peace."

Distinguished guests included Venerable Manko, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Australia and New Zealand; Venerable Chueh Shan, Abbess of Nan Tien Buddhist Temple Parramatta; Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri, representing the Lord Mayor of Parramatta; Councillor Dr Patricia Prociv and Councillor Michael Ng; Venerable Juefang,  General Manager of the Hsing Yun Education Foundation Australia; Foundation Director Victor Yu; Daniel Wu, President of BLIA Sydney, event judges Regina Ma and Go Ling Hong,  and many other community leaders who came together to applaud the children's achievements and support the importance of arts education within the community.

This year's competition was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, with "Harmony and Peace" as its creative theme. Children were encouraged to express their emotions through music while developing the values of respect, inclusion, compassion, and coexistence. The event also incorporated Fo Guang Shan's Three Acts of Goodness—Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words, and Think Good Thoughts—into arts education, nurturing kindness and beauty from an early age and extending these values into families and the wider community.

BLIA Sydney President Daniel Wu remarked that music transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries and serves as an effective medium for character education. By integrating artistic learning, humanistic values, and community engagement, the competition encouraged children not only to improve their musical skills but also to appreciate others, respect diversity, and bring harmony, peace, and kindness into their daily lives, becoming positive contributors to society.

Venerable Manko said the Foundation will continue to promote children's arts education by connecting families, schools, and communities through music and cultural activities. Such initiatives help nurture confidence, compassion, and care for others, enabling the arts to become a powerful force for social harmony. She expressed sincere appreciation to the adjudicators for their professionalism, fairness, and encouragement toward every participant, and thanked parents for their unwavering support throughout their children's musical journey. Venerable Manko reminded all contestants that, regardless of the competition results, they had already shared kindness through music. She encouraged them to preserve their pure hearts, continue inspiring the world through art, and allow the seeds of kindness, harmony, and peace to flourish throughout society.

The competition attracted enthusiastic participation from children aged 5 to 12 across Sydney. Performances included piano, violin, cello, guzheng, and vocal music, showcasing remarkable diversity in musical expression. Each young performer demonstrated confidence and dedication on stage, interpreting the theme of harmony and peace through heartfelt performances that reflected both their musical growth and the transformative influence of arts education on character and self-confidence.

The panel of adjudicators evaluated performances with professionalism, fairness, and an educational spirit. In addition to technical proficiency, they assessed stage presence, musical interpretation, emotional expression, and learning attitude. Constructive feedback was provided after the competition to encourage continued growth and development in each child's musical journey.

Participants competed in three age divisions—5–7, 8–10, and 11–12 years old—with awards including the Buddha’s Light Award, Distinction Award, Outstanding Award, and Participation Award. Among the winners, Roy Hu (5), Allegra Chechelski (10), and Daniel Tafazzoli distinguished themselves through outstanding musicianship and confident stage presence, receiving the competition's highest honour, the Buddha’s Light Award. During the awards ceremony, the three winners performed violin and piano pieces, captivating the audience with their polished technique and heartfelt expression, earning enthusiastic applause and bringing the event to a memorable climax.

In her remarks, Allegra Chechelski's grandmother shared that the event was far more than a music competition—it was a meaningful cultural celebration filled with love and educational value. She praised the organisers for their professionalism and thoughtful planning throughout every stage, from auditions and adjudication to the awards ceremony, creating an encouraging and respectful environment where every child could confidently showcase their talents. She was especially moved by the event's message of harmony and peace, noting that it not only nurtured children's artistic development but also strengthened family bonds and allowed everyone to experience the warmth and unifying power of music. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Hsing Yun Education Foundation Australia and the dedicated volunteers for providing such a hopeful platform for children's growth.

As the inaugural Fo Guang Three Acts of Goodness Little Musician Contest, the event not only highlighted the rich artistic potential of Sydney's young musicians but also demonstrated the successful integration of cultural arts, humanistic education, and sustainable development within Fo Guang education. Through music, the organisers hope to sow seeds of kindness and beauty, inspiring more children to cultivate good character through the arts, strengthen community connections with compassion, and work together toward a harmonious, inclusive, and hopeful future.