By SARAH CHEW

SHE waltzes from room to room with a violin tucked under her neck, humming along the corridors.

"I like the violin because I feel like I'm singing when I play it," says Cassandra Lee Yean-Tze, 12. "Depending on the pieces, I can imagine myself singing and dancing to them."

Cassandra speaks with a confidence and maturity beyond her 12 years. She was placed at diploma level for violin and Grade 8 for piano within three years of picking up those instruments.

"Classical music is my favourite and I like 20th century pieces," she adds. "But I play jazz pieces for leisure." Cassandra also seems to top her class effortlessly in school.

"I think I'm very lucky because I can pick things up easily, whether it is music, studies or sports." She used to attend tuition classes for Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin but "stopped a long time ago". This has not hindered her from winning competitions in Mandarin poetry, and Bahasa Malaysia and English storytelling, among others.

Recognising her daughter's abilities, Kon Soh Phin, 41, helped Cassandra apply for the ASEAN Secondary One Scholarship and scheduled an audition with staff from St Mary's Anglican Girls School in Perth, Australia.

Eventually, Cassandra was offered scholarships from both sources.

She accepted St Mary's offer - a full academic and music scholarship for Year 8 to 12 - and has no qualms leaving for boarding school next year. She has wonderful memories of Perth which she visited with her family two years ago and quips that,

"I don't think I'll miss home too much because I have fun wherever I am!"

On the other hand, Kon admits she would miss her daughter and the chit-chat sessions they have together.

So what does Cassandra say is the secret to her achievements?

"I'm very focused, determined and manage my time well. I also try to do my best in everything."

She pauses, then adds: "Oh, and I enjoy everything I do. I think that is very important."