

As such, being classified a “prodigy” is hardly a qualification for going into music. Kimberly Fisher, principal second violin, The Philadelphia Orchestra and artistic director, The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF), describes musical prodigies as a rare breed.

You have hills to climb and you learn to love taking one step at a time and the relentlessness of it all.” He likes to quote legendary tennis player, Arthur Ashe, who said, “Start where you are.
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“If you don’t have huge success early on, you understand and learn how to get better. Millar refers to music as a “tough business.” As a result, “Music students need to be relentless…it’s more important than anything else.” As a non-prodigy, he felt he had to work harder than if he had been labeled a prodigy. He credits his undergraduate program, and not being surrounded by prodigies, with providing him the space “to grow and improve…to compete with myself…to become better tomorrow than today.” He switched to CU’s College of Music when music proved to be the only major that brought together his passion and interests. Millar started out in engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.

“In music school, we’re learning how to learn and how to adapt in the world,” he says. Michael Millar, director of the Center for Community Engagement at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, is quick to describe himself as a “non prodigy.” He credits majoring in music with teaching him to be an achiever (he’s got a BM and an MA in Music Performance, and a DMA in Performance and Arts Administration). Their insights are invaluable for students, parents, music teachers, college guidance counselors, and current music majors as well. But Elisha still loves to perform and share his talent with explored this subject with three musicians, each of whom is working in a distinctly different field of music. This is one child piano prodigy that has a bright future ahead of him, one that will continue to bring joy to people through beautiful music!Įlisha really hasn’t gotten use to the popularity that has come his way, and he gets embarrassed when fans ask to take pictures with him. But Elisha still loves to perform and share his talent with others. He also enjoys playing chess.Įlisha really hasn’t gotten use to the popularity that has come his way, and he gets embarrassed when fans ask to take pictures with him. He likes playing football outside and riding his bicycle and scooter. Even with the fame from his incredible talent, Elisha still has a normal childhood. Just like Mozart, music comes from Elisha’s soul. He also has an extraordinary ear for music, and Elisha deeply feels the music as well. His piano teacher says that Elisha’s wide, soft, and flexible hands are great for playing the piano. His mother said that he would be active in her womb whenever he heard classical music.

But the eight-year-old showed interest in music even before he was born.
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His delicate, little fingers move quickly across the piano keys to make the most beautiful sound.Įlisha began to receive professional piano training at four years old. His talent is incredible! It is mesmerizing to watch Elisha play, and it is clear that he is very passionate about the music he is playing. The orchestra behind Elisha starts to play, and soon, he starts playing a beautiful melody on the piano. He pulls up the piano bench very closely to the keys and has to sit improperly on the bench in order to reach the pedals. In this video of one of his performances, Elisha walks out on stage in a little tuxedo as the audience is clapping and cheering for him as he bows and walks to the piano.
