A self-taught violinist's incredible journey from war-torn Syria to a Sydney orchestra

A self-taught violinist's incredible journey from war-torn Syria to a Sydney orchestra
After fleeing war-torn Syria with his family for a safer and more prosperous life in Australia, the 16-year-old has dreams of one day being a famous violinist.

"I want to go as far as I can," Aboud told 7.30.

"My dream is to be a famous soloist or famous concertmaster but we'll see what the future will look like.

"The violin is my life. When we left Syria, the only thing I was worried about was my violin."

After their refugee application was turned down in 2017, the Kaplo family finally had their visa accepted for Australia in April last year.

They arrived here just 15 days later.

'A safer place'

Aboud and his family fled Aleppo into the north of Syria when the war first broke out, before again moving to Lebanon after they confronted a suicide bombing.

He told 7.30 that he was relieved when his family's Australian visa application got approved.

"It was an amazing feeling, fantastic, I can't explain it in words. I feel like all the stress was removed, it was a relief," he said.

"It's a safer place to live, where I don't have to worry about bombs and war and all that kind of stuff."

For Aboud's mother, Hanan, life in Australia means not having to worry about her family's future.

"Now we feel a peace of mind that you are in safety, your children are in safety. Our life (has) changed completely," she told 7.30.

Rare talent

When Aboud spoke to 7.30 in Lebanon two years ago, he was teaching himself the violin by watching YouTube videos.

He diligently practices the violin for two hours each day in his south-western Sydney home.

And he now performs with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra after auditioning and receiving a scholarship.

"It's a whole different experience to playing in my room," he said.

"It's amazing, I can't explain it."

Despite being unable to read music when he first taught himself to play the violin, Aboud's determination has led many to recognise his rare talent.

Western Sydney Youth Orchestra conductor James Pensini believes Aboud has a natural affinity for the violin.

"I was amazed by his ears, how quickly he'd pick things up," he told 7.30.

"It's about trying to find those students that show that hunger, that willingness to be better.

"With those attributes that he has, literally anything is possible."

This talent saw Aboud invited to perform at a UNICEF fundraising event called Cook For Syria, which raised $56,000 for the over 8 million children affected by the conflict.

In his speech at the fundraiser, Aboud said that he wants his journey to provide hope to others who are living in threatening conditions.

"After one and a half years we got our visa to Australia, I can't explain how I felt," he told the crowd.

"I felt amazing, such a relief after all that bad stuff I went through."

Family left behind

His mother has found it hard adjusting to being away from people she used to see every day, and fears for their lives.

"We think a lot of them, we miss them," Mrs Kaplo said.

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