9-year-old B.C. pianist heading to Toronto for prestigious North American festival
Nine-year-old Joshua Wang's love for playing piano began as a pandemic pastime. Now, he's been chosen from among scores of Canadian musicians to take the stage at a prestigious Toronto festival.
"I decided I would record a piece every week for my friends and family to enjoy during the pandemic," Wang told CTV News.
"I love how I can share my love of music with friends and family."
His mother, Lei Cao, said it's been a pleasure watching her son develop his skills and pursue his passion.
"I can see he build up his self-confidence, resilience and fulfilment," said Lei Cao, Wang's mother.
The New Westminster pianist has now been recognized by the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Wang, along with seven other B.C. pianists have been selected as finalists in the inaugural Music Lights the Way Festival. It's an all-ages, all-levels event that received more than 8,000 applicants across North America. Only a few dozen were selected for the finals.
Wang is one of four finalists in his Level 8 category.
"It's hard to believe it's a nine-year-old playing because the playing is already refined," said Janet Lopinski, senior director of the college of examiners and academic programs at the Royal Conservatory. "There's a beautiful sound, beautiful pacing."
Wang said he was overwhelmed when he learned he was chosen.
"I didn't think I could go very far but when I heard I got to the finals I was like, 'What?!'" he said
"I'm having a million emotions all at once. Like, I’m being nervous, I’m being happy, I’m being excited and a bunch more emotions.”
Lopinski says B.C. had the most finalists selected of any province. While the event is judged and prizes can be won, Lopinski says the inaugural event is about promoting music for people of all skill levels and ages.
“We really do believe in the transformative power of music to change people’s lives," she said.
Wang flies out to Toronto where he'll perform Tuesday at Koerner Hall in front of a panel of judges. If he wins his category, he will take home a new piano valued at over $10,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.