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6th April 2010 11:05:05 AM

Striking a chord … Students from the Australian Keyboard Academy in Delahey were asked to appear on Channel Seven’s live broadcast of Good Friday Appeal. From left: Liam, Ysabelle, Jessica and Natali. 45067

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AT EASTER, most children look forward to receiving chocolate eggs when the Easter Bunny visits.

But pupils from the Australian Keyboard Academy in Delahey were busy doing something else.

Over 100 of the academy’s music students took part in a concert last weekend, which raised $1000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

After the recital, their piano teacher Lorenzo Capitanio received a call asking for some of the youngsters to appear on the annual Good Friday Appeal fundraising show, broadcast live by Channel Seven.

Mr Capitanio selected four children to be interviewed on television – Jessica, 9, Natali, 10, Ysabelle, 8 and Liam, 9.

“I’m excited, not nervous,” Jessica said.

She has been on television once before, singing with her little sister Olivera and their father, a professional singer, on Today Tonight in 2007.

The children said it was important to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital patients.

Ysabelle has been to the hospital twice, once to have a hernia operation when she was aged three and then at five years old, when she had a growth in her neck.

“It’s important to help with cancer research for young and old,” said Natali, whose grandfather had cancer.

Liam’s aunt, uncle and great-aunt have also had the disease.

“We should raise money just in case some people night not have enough money to look after their kids,” he said.

Mr Capitanio said the Australian Keyboard Academy had raised more than $8000 over the past three years for the Royal Children’s Hospital and other charities, including the Smith Family.

“We organise the performances to teach kids through their hard work and dedication they can help people in the community,” Mr Capitanio said.

Call 9310 9532 to find out more about the Australian Keyboard Academy.



– Alesha Capone

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