'This is something inside of them': Talented P.E.I. family makes music festival a tradition

To say that music runs in the family would be an understatement for the Lawts.

Nine-year-old Mainu, 14-year-old Brian, and 18-year-old Sannu, of Charlottetown, play multiple instruments and are recognised every year for their talents at the local Queens County Music Festival.

'A form of language'

"Music, we love it," said Sannu who plays violin and piano and is now studying music at university.

"It's a form of language, you can play for other people and you know it's kind of like giving something back to them," she said. 

"We've been doing this since we were little, so it's kind of like second nature," said Brian, who plays tuba, violin, piano and bass. 

"I think playing instruments is really fun," said Mainu, who plays violin and piano.

"They are genuinely talented in many ways, all three of the children," said their piano teacher Frances Mcburnie.

"They work very hard."

'This is something inside of them'

The children showed off their talents at this year's Queens County Music Festival, held April 25 to May 5.

The festival doesn't give out marks, but instead ranks performances as gold, silver or bronze. All three of the Lawt's received gold for all of their performances.

Mainu received the junior piano award and junior string award at the festival.

Sannu is being recognized with the John Clement Memorial Award and has been invited to play violin for the final awards show which takes place Tuesday. 

Aury Murray, the piano adjudicator for the festival works for festivals across Canada and marked Mainu and Brian's performances in several categories.

"They both demonstrated a complete commitment and dedication to the art of music," said Murray.

"I was completely blown away with [Mainu's] Canadian piece, it was called Arctic Voices," she added. "I know the composer and I'm thinking of sending her an email and saying I just heard an amazing performance of your piece," said Murray. 

Of Brian, Murray said, "He demonstrated  a great musicality, great technique, expressiveness."

"You don't get to the level Brian is at without lots of hard work and commitment," said Murray.  

"You can tell this is something inside of them they just need to be doing the rest of their lives."

"Really I commend the parents," she said.

An 'investment' in music education

Parents Aung and Ruth Lawt said they wanted to their children to experience the joy of music.

The parents are originally from Burma, but had lived in India before coming to Canada about twenty years ago. They said they moved for their children's future — all three children were born in Canada. 

"We want them to have a good education," said Aung. "Music is part of that." 

"I think music is really important in life, wherever you are, whoever you are, music is very very important," added Ruth.

They've invested thousands of dollars in their music lessons. Aung Lawt chuckled when he said,

"We told them we don't have any other investment, we invest in them."

Lawt said it doesn't matter what they decide to pursue later in life but he is glad they have music together. 

"I want them as a brother and sisters to have this unity,"

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