Thomas' First Audition

Thomas passed his first try at an audition on 10/26.

Thomas started to learn piano with Ms. Shen, a Suzuki piano teacher in June of 08.  After about a year, it became very clear that he was talented at it.  I then started to look for a teacher that could take him up another level.  I went through a couple of them before we started working with Ms. Luba, a Russian-trained piano teacher in the middle of August. 

Ms. Luba made it clear that she would push all her student to try at various recital opportunities.  But she was not very keen to let him go to began with for the Jazz n' Light competition in Oct.  She felt they just started working together about six week ago. She was not happy with the way Thomas played the piece at the audition deadline. But Thomas insisted that he wanted to try the audition. He got very excited about it. So I pleaded for him. Ms. Luba very reluctantly sent in his application. At the last lesson before the class, she was still not happy with the way he played and wrote a list of things to correct for me to work with him before the audition.  She also expressed regret of letting him go since this would reflect on her reputation. So I never had any high hopes, but I did want to encourage Thomas' enthusiasm. It is also very good experience for him. I worked hard with him on Friday and Saturday according to Ms. Luba's notes. Thomas did kept his promise and listened to my instruction really well. He worked very patiently on a couple occasions during those two days in-between his succer, art and other activities.  He looked so cute in his suite and dress shoes on Sunday. It was a long drive, but quite scenic. I thought to myself to treat it as a fall outing and just enjoy the ride. Thomas was really relaxed. He was the youngest of a dozen kids who auditioned. He went in by himself. Chatted a little with the judge. Played his piece. Talked with the judge a Little more. When I saw him coming out of the room, he had such a huge smile on his face. He said: "Mommy: I think I passed the audition. The judge said she liked my play". That's more than what I had hoped for already. I was so happy for him.

Then, last Thursday, when we went to his lesson, Ms. Luba told us that he made second place at the audition and will perform on Nov 15th. But the committee wanted me to bring his birth certificate to verify his age LOL (Thomas, at seven and three months old, weighs 90 lbs and was 1.42 meters tall). It was such a happy surprise for me. Now the hard part: he will participate in the audition in Dec. If he passes that one, he will perform at Carnegie Hall. I try very hard not to get my hope up this time!! Here is the link to the recital on Nov 15th.

http://crescendofestivals.org/Festivals/jazz.html#