When Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and educator Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO first met primary school student Sandra Hart, she could feel how passionate Hart was about her instrument.

Watching Hart play her violin in a room full of people was what made her stand out.

Cheetham Fraillon said it was the beauty of Hart's playing which captured her attention.

"She's in love with her instrument," Cheetham Fraillon said.

"And if you're not, you're only going to get so far in life, it takes rigour, dedication and it takes a kind of immersive practice to be a string player at any level.

"I could see this was not going to be an issue for Sandra, she is the kind of young person who you knew you wouldn't have to ask her to practice.

"She wanted to show you what she had learned."

Hart was a primary school student attending Medina Primary School, one of two schools part of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra's (WASO) Crescendo program. The program offers free music education to primary school students, with students in Years 4 to 6 also participating in violin and cello lessons.

While Cheetham Fraillon delivered workshops to the schools, she met Hart.

Immediately, she offered Hart the opportunity to attend the Short Black Opera's, One Day in January program which took place in Eora (Sydney) in 2023.

"She hadn't even finished playing her first piece and I thought right we're bringing you to Sydney," Cheetham Fraillion said.

"Sometimes you'll meet students of that age and they're still finding a way of giving themselves permission to show you what they know.

"And there was nothing about that with Sandra, in a really gentle way she just said this is my instrument and I love it."

Hart's trip to Sydney was the first time she had ever been on a plane and she arrived to an ensemble of classical training.

This year's program involved Ensemble Dutala, a chamber ensemble of First Nations musicians.

Hart, alongside other students, had the chance to play alongside other scholarship recipients from previous years as well as Ensemble Dutala members and Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra members.

This only spurred her love for classical music as she said she hopes to play the violin (or become a sports teacher) when she grows up.

"I love everything about music. It makes me feel good and I like playing music for other people and myself," she said.

"My favourite musical instrument is the violin because it's a classical instrument.

"I felt good and proud of myself playing the violin on stage."

As much as Cheetham Fraillon has enjoyed seeing Hart pursue her passion in classical music, she hopes Hart is just one of many First Nations students who find their love for classical music.

"It's a logical path for First Nations children, music is our way of knowing and being for millennia and that really hasn't changed," she said.

"First Nation experiences is as broad as anybody else's, if we allow ability to be matched with opportunity.

"And that's what the Crescendo program did for Sandra initially and that's what Short Black Opera has done through the One Day in January program."

Cheetham Fraillon also said this is not the end of Hart's journey. They plan on bringing her back for future years and supporting her passion and dedication to classical music.

WASO executive manager for community engagement and education Alena Tompkins said it's been great to connect Hart with Cheetham Fraillon through the program.

"WASO is honoured to have been able to connect Sandra with Deborah through our education program, and we are grateful to Short Black Opera for providing this incredible opportunity for Sandra to continue developing her musicianship and be inspired by other First Nations musicians," she said.

"As Sandra graduates out of our Crescendo music program, we are so proud of all she will continue to achieve."

The One Day in January scholarship is for young, First Nations musicians who are studying orchestral instruments.