Five-year-old piano prodigy Alec Van Khajadourian from Los Angeles is set to become one of the youngest performers to appear on stage at New York City's Carnegie Hall. ABC7 New York reports that Alec began playing piano shortly after he started walking and showed a natural talent for music. His parents observed his early interest evolve into full performances. His father, Joe Khajadourian, recalled, "He would walk over to the piano when he first started walking, punching a few notes, and you could just see this huge grin on his face."
The young pianist’s debut is scheduled for the upcoming NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert. Alec’s father told ABC7 New York that the family does not pressure Alec to practice, as he plays independently. Alec has the ability to identify musical notes by ear, a skill known as perfect pitch, which is estimated to occur in about one in 10,000 people.
Further showcasing his exceptional talent, Alec’s performance venues include not only Carnegie Hall but also the renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. His father remarked that they sometimes "look at each other, and laugh sometimes when he's jamming," expressing disbelief at their son’s musical abilities, as detailed by ABC7 New York.
The New York Post reported that Alec has been honing his skills since he began taking lessons at age four. His accomplishments include winning first place in multiple music competitions this year alone, and he is now preparing to perform in front of a wider audience. Pietro Molteni, founder and artistic director of the Gala Concert, highlighted the importance of showcasing young talent, stating, "Taking the stage at such a prestigious venue allows these young musicians to see themselves as capable of achieving the highest levels of their craft."
Alec’s parents are supportive of their son’s developing career. His mother, Diana Sanders, was quoted by the New York Post saying, "It's beautiful to watch Alec share his love for the piano with so many people." Due to Alec’s young age, Carnegie Hall has made an exception allowing his parents to accompany him backstage. This weekend, Alec will join the long list of artists who have performed at Carnegie Hall. Alec expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I can't wait to get on stage at Carnegie Hall and play for everyone."
