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I am nine years old. People ask me where I\u2019m from, and I never really know what to say. It\u2019s complicated. I was born in Canada. Then my family moved to Shenzhen. Then back to Canada. Then New York. Then China again. About two years ago, we moved to Singapore.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s what I\u2019ve figured out: Complicated is actually OK. Maybe it\u2019s even good.<\/p>\n
Singapore is the first place I\u2019ve lived where I feel like I actually belong. I go to a local school, which means I learn the same things Singaporean children learn, and do the same exams. At first, it was hard. But my teachers were patient, and my classmates became real friends.<\/p>\n
On May 2, I won a gold medal at the 2026 Oxygen Music Festival. It was the second year in a row I won. I was still as nervous the second time round because I had to live up to more expectations, but I did it.<\/p>\n
I started playing piano when I was six. I practise almost two hours every day now. Not because anyone forces me, but because I truly love music.<\/p>\n
Singapore is home now. It\u2019s where I\u2019m growing up, where I trained for this competition, and where I\u2019m working hard to achieve even more.<\/p>\n
Merisden Pereira<\/b>, <\/i>nine<\/b>
Primary 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n