Seven-year-old Cary Wang practicing at his New Canaan home.—Michael Catarevas
It’s unlikely New Canaan’s seven-year-old Cary Wang has heard the old joke, where a tourist in New York City asks a passing stranger, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?”
“Practice, practice, practice,” comes the reply.
Cary is proof that there’s always some truth in humor, as the adorable, pint-sized musician has, with diligence and talent, achieved incredible success in just a couple of years. Already he has played the famed Carnegie Hall three times, and accumulated regional and national awards.
When you talk to the little guy he’s a typical local kid… adorable, bright and energized. Then, in the study of his family’s home, he sits on a cushion atop a piano bench allowing him to reach the keys, starts playing, and it’s omigod.
With a suddenly serious face, his little fingers tickle the ivories splendidly, creating beautiful music that enchants his parents, Ariel Ling and John Wang, daily as they watch and listen. John simply sits and enjoys the show, while Ariel is Cary’s equally loving but stricter parent, teaching him manners and guiding him to stay focused during his daily 90-minute practice sessions.
“In the beginning [at age four] it was very hard for him to sit for more than 15 minutes,” she said. “Playing piano is a mechanism to keep him focused.”
Cary is happy to talk about his life and love for the piano. He is a charming, delightful fellow, who laughs along with the adults as he quips about his achievements. When his mom explained that Cary’s already mastered about 10 thick books of piano sheet music, he corrected her with, “No, it’s more than 10. It’s 20!”
Asked when he started playing, Cary said, “I started at age five, took lessons and got really good. Then I went to Carnegie Hall!”
Hey, he’s not wrong.
The soon-to-be second grader at West Elementary School has won several statewide, national and international piano events. He was the first place winner of the Little Mozart competition.
This past June, he was honored by the National Piano Guild for his performance of 14 sonatina movements by memory. He won the special Gold Sonatina Medal plaque with top grade of Superior Plus.
Cary started to explore piano playing a few years ago, and studies with teacher Felicia Feng Zhang of Greenwich.
Ariel explained that Cary has been able to advance quickly because he has mastered sight reading, which is the ability to play complex compositions from sheet music.
“It’s reading notes and translating it into fingering,” she said. “Once he got that he can translate notes. That’s when he started progressing much faster than most kids.”
Cary said playing the piano “takes me to different worlds. I didn’t know in the beginning if I would like it or not,” and goes on to say that he considered trying the violin first. “But you need to put the violin up here [motions to throat] so it could choke you. And with the piano I can sit.”
Ariel and John are as amused by his running commentary as they are by his playing. Dad said that the family schedule was very consistent.
“Ariel and I both work in New York,” he said. “We have our nanny bring Cary home from school or the YMCA every day. When we come home, after dinner is when he practices.”
Parents John Wang and Ariel Ling at home with Cary —Michael Catarevas photo
Mom sits with Cary as he works, trying to keep him playing all the way through a song, movement or whatever.
“He stops in the middle sometimes because he likes to chat. A piece will make him think of something and he stops.” she said.
“Yes, I’m chatty,” Cary confirmed.
Asked what it was like to take the stage as a solo performer at Carnegie Hall, Cary said, “I don’t get nervous in performance. A little shy. I just start playing. First I take a bow, then start playing.”
Ariel and John make sure Cary develops other interests besides the piano. He likes tennis, swimming, fencing and baseball. “I also went to Gladiator school,” he said.
Chess is another strong interest.
“He’s been to three tournaments and has a pretty good rating,” said John.
“I went into a tournament and got a trophy,” added Cary, showing it off along with ones he’s won for his piano playing.
While Cary mostly plays classical music, he’s starting to experiment with other forms.
“I play modern music, and baroque,” he said. “I just learned about the Beatles. I like Yellow Submarine.”
The sweet child shares his gift as well. Cary has performed at concerts in the Stepping Stone Children’s Museum, retirement homes, school, and the Stamford mall. He recently played for senior citizens in New Canaan. He also plays for pals who come over.
“I have millions of friends,” he said. “Sometimes I don’t remember their names.”
The town’s mini-Mozart has also begun composing music. Back on the cushion to entertain with his playing, he admitted to preferring to play fast songs over slow ones. Why?
“Slow songs make me have mistakes,” he said. “But when I make mistakes I recover and go on.”
Ariel smiled proudly at that line.
The post Meet New Canaan’s mini-Mozart, who’s hitting all the right notes appeared first on New Canaan Advertiser.