Having participated in many international music competitions, Mert Hakan Şeker and Arya Su Gülenç returned from the competition "Rome Grand Prize Virtuoso," which was held in Rome, Italy, recently, with the championship.

The jury gave Şeker, 11, and Gülenç, 8, who have become popular for their ability on the piano and successful performances, the thumbs-up in a competition in which 185 contestants participated.

The duo, which practices regularly with Russian piano teacher Elena Çekiç, 31, at Akademix Fine Arts Center, aims to win new championships.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Çekiç said, "Mert and Arya are getting better day by day. They will achieve great success as long as they continue to practice. They have taken part in many competitions in Europe. This means these children are very successful. I am always very proud whenever they achieve something. I make them prepare not only for good results but also for bad ones. I try to teach them the most important thing is to receive the appreciation of people."

'My parents divide family in two for my education'

Şeker said he won four out of five championship competitions in which he participated. Explaining that his father is the reason he began playing the piano, Şeker said: "My father saw the daughter of a neighbor playing piano and wondered whether I could play. After a trainer said I have a musical ear, he sent me to piano classes."

Indicating that hearing applause after a performance motivates him, Şeker said: "I am very proud when listeners applaud me. My family supports me, and my parents have divided the family in two for me. My mother and brother stay in Eskişehir. I stay in Bursa with my father for my education. We are in Bursa five days a week. I haven't got much time to spend with my friends, so my best friend is my piano nowadays. I will work hard to be a great artist in the future."

Gülenç said she started to play the piano with the encouragement of her father, who is also a music teacher.

Noting that she has been playing piano for two years, Gülenç added: "I returned with championships from two international competitions out of three contests in which I participated. I am proud of myself when people applaud me. Their attendance at my concerts makes me really happy."