Srikanjana strikes a chord in the UK

A 12-year-old Thai girl has impressed British television and press media with her musical genius.
Srikanjana Kwan - also known as Aimee - became the youngest-ever member of London's Royal College of Music when she was only six, through her talent in playing the violin and piano and composing songs. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said Srikanjana, who lives in Guildford, England, had received extensive coverage in the British media. Srikanjana, the daughter of Benjamas and Danny Kwan, has won many prizes in musical competitions over the past four years, while an intelligence test showed she has an IQ of 180, which puts her in the top group among children of her age. The Thai Embassy in London is planning to invite Srikanjana to play royally composed songs to mark the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King this year. Her mother, Benjamas, said her musical gift appeared when she was only four, when she asked to take piano lessons. Srikanjana started learning piano when she was five - and six months later she was ranked 20th in a piano competition. Six months after that, Srikanjana attended another contest for children over eight and beat all competitors, despite being two years younger. Srikanjana has won five first prizes in musical competitions. She was invited to be a student of the prestigious Royal College of Music after she charmed the college's recruitment committee with her piano and violin talents.
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