The Classical Kid for January is 9-year-old Jackson Mu. Jackson attends Aldrich Elementary and has played the piano for four years, and the violin for three. He’s performed annually with the “Christmas with the Omaha Symphony” and played solo piano in front of thousands at a Chinese New Year gala when he was six! He takes tennis lessons, plays Minecraft and loves riding his bike. The classical kid for February is 10-year-old BingYi Wang. He’s played the piano for four years and studies at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. He loves making music because he can express his emotions and it provides endless opportunities. He loves reading and playing tennis and baseball. His favorite musical memory was receiving praise at the Nebraska Summer Music Olympics from the UNO Staff.
The classical kid for March is 13-year old Laura Li. Laura studies piano at the Omaha Conservatory and also performs with her Middle School Jazz Bands. She attends Elkhorn Valley Middle School and says she loves making music because of the finished product. Her other favorite subjects include reading, biology and engineering. The classical kid for April is 9-year-old Rayna Kong. Rayna studies piano at the Omaha Conservatory and has been playing piano for 5 years. She goes to West Bay Elementary and loves learning new pieces, performing in district and state competitions and the Summer Olympics where she most recently received honorable mentions. She also plays tennis and speaks Chinese.
The KVNO Classical Kid for May is 10-year-old pianist, Mia Simon. Mia attends Willa Cather Elementary and has been playing the piano since she was five years old. She also plays the cello and participates with the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras and the Omaha Conservatory. Her favorite thing about playing these instruments is getting together to it enjoy it with friends while learning new music. She also loves reading, coloring and playing tennis. 14-year-old pianist, Olivia Zink is KVNO’s Classical kid for the month of June. She is home schooled and has been playing the piano for nine years. She plays with the Omaha Homeschool Band and Orchestra, participates at the advanced level and also performs at UNO’s Omaha Music Festival every year. She also plays flute, loves to read and her favorite subjects are history and debate.
The KVNO Classical Kid for July is 13-year-old pianist, Immanuel Soh. He is homeschooled and has been studying the piano since the age of 6. His most recent chance to perform was in Melbourne, Australia and loves visiting family in Malaysia. He enjoys listening to the music he makes to be reminded of his hard work. He enjoys chess, reading and participated in this years Scripps National Spelling Bee. The KVNO Classical kid for August is 9-year old pianist, Alleyah Flint. She attends Avery Elementary and studies at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and was the youngest student there when she started at the age of three. She also participates in a local ensemble called, Musical Kids and provides entertainment for the Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program. She also enjoys dance lessons and puzzles.
The KVNO Classical Kid for September is pianist, 14-year-old Hannah Zink. Hannah is in 9th grade and his homeschooled along with her sisters. She loves John Williams and Hans Zimmer and learning film scores by ear at the piano while making her own arrangements. She’s been playing for 9 years and just started taking percussion lessons. She loves history and participates in the Omaha Homeschool Band and Orchestra. The KVNO Classical Kid for the month of October is Elizabeth Ford. Elizabeth plays trumpet and attends Papillion Middle School, and performs in concert and jazz band as first chair. She also plays piano and is first chair in the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra Honor Orchestra. Her favorite thing about making music is the challenge, setting new goals, and creating it with friends. She a competitive swimmer and enjoys drawing and crocheting.
The Classical kid for November 12-year-old pianist, Jonas Duda. He attends Bernadette Middle School and has been playing piano for six years. He also plays clarinet in his middle school band through Gross High School. His favorite composers are Beethoven and Chopin and loves setting goals through his practice. He is a black belt in Tae Kwon do, and loves to read. In his free time, he enjoys shooting hoops or playing cards with his family.