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Meet this month's classical kid

 















FEBRUARY 2010
VIJAY MENON

February’s Classical Kid is Brownell-Talbot student Vijay Menon! Participating in the Peru Piano Extravaganza was his most memorable musical experience -- Vijay said he practiced very hard and “felt the right beats”. Nine-year-old Vijay loves to play in the snow and sing during his free time. He's also a KVNO fan because he likes music that is both "soft" and "has a spirit". Thanks to the Soener Foundation, in honor of Mary Soener, for their support of KVNO’s Classical Kids program!















JANUARY 2010
EMMA JOHANNINGSMEIER

13 year-old pianist and Westside Middle School student Emma Johanningsmeier is our first Classical Kid of 2010! Several years ago, Emma spent a full year in Germany with her family and was able to visit the historical sites and hear some amazing musical performances while there. When not practicing the piano, Emma is an avid reader – her favorites include the Harry Potter books and the novels of Ayn Rand. Her piano teacher says that Emma is one of her top students; at a recent recital Emma played Bach, Schubert and Beethoven. Congratulations to our January Classical Kid, Emma Johanningsmeier, from everyone here at KVNO and from the Soener Foundation.
















DECEMBER 2009
GRACE YOHANNES

Grace Yohannes is December's Classical Kid. She is a 10-year-old student at Swanson Elementary and a talented pianist. Grace enjoyed appearing in several performances, including the role of a crow in "The Wizard of Oz." In addition to her musical and dramatic roles, she loves gymnastics and swimming. Grace enjoys listening to KVNO because it relaxes her and she really enjoys the music. Classical Kids is made possible by the Soener Foundation in honor of Mary Soener.
















NOVEMBER 2009
VARUN NORONHA

Hitchcock Elementary School student Varun Noronha is our November Classical Kid. A 10-year-old who plays the piano, he says when he began playing, "It was practice, practice, practice until the contest day." It paid off when the results were announced and prepared him for future competitions. In his spare time, Varun loves playing basketball, soccer and playing with his dog. He often listens to KVNO on the way to his afternoon piano lessons. KVNO is grateful to the Soener Foundation, honoring Mary Soener, for its ongoing support of Classical Kids!















OCTOBER 2009
DONNY PISTILLO

KVNO's Classical Kid for October is 12 year-old Donny Pistillo. He's followed in his older sisters' footsteps by learning to play the piano -- he's also followed in his father's footsteps by learning to play the accordion! In addition to the piano and accordion, Donny also performs in the Bell Choir at St. Wenceslas School. And while he's at school, you're equally as likely to find Donny in the music room or out on the basketball court, enjoying a game of hoops with his friends! Donny's piano teacher says that he's a great practicer, and, despite having small hands, has a great deal of accuracy when playing technically challenging pieces. KVNO and the Soener Foundation salute Donny Pistillo, our Classical Kid for October!
















SEPTEMBER 2009
SHENG-JIE LIM

Ten year-old pianist Sheng-Jie Lim has received a Superior rating in every contest and competition he's entered. His piano teacher also says Sheng-Jie is able to play with great sensitivity and technical skill for the enjoyment of all. When not involved with his musical activities -- including singing in his church choir -- Sheng-Jie loves to read adventure novels and is an avid movie fan... he says he enjoys stories that take him to a different world! KVNO and the Soener Foundation salute Sheng-Jie Lim, our Classical Kid for September!















 
AUGUST 2009
RUTH HAILU

As a young child, KVNO's Classical Kid for August, Ruth Hailu, completed a KinderMusic training program; she's also performed a public solo piano recital every year since the age of 5! Ruth, now 10, has participated in the Nebraska Summer Music Olympics for the past four years and currently sings in the Westside Church Children's Choir. Her teachers at Brownwell-Talbot say Ruth is an eager and skilled student, both in her core classes and in her musical studies -- and when not singing or practicing the piano, you might find Ruth competing for her swimming team or listening to her favorite pianists on KVNO! Congratulations to Ruth Hailu, our KVNO Classical Kid for August, and thanks to the Soener Foundation for their support of the Classical Kids program!


















JULY 2009
NOAH HOLMES

12 year-old pianist Noah Holmes reached a musical milestone last summer when, at a recital, his performance was the only one to receive a standing ovation! Noah is a student at St. Bernadette School, and when not practicing or finishing his school projects, you might find him drawing, painting, or listening to Classical 90.7! Noah's musical interests started at an early age -- when one of his first piano teachers noticed he had perfect pitch, this led to Noah being asked to accompany his elementary school chorus. Quite a feat for someone who had yet to turn 9! From everyone at Classical 90.7, congratulations to Noah, our Classical Kid for July... KVNO also thanks the Soener Foundation for their ongoing support and funding of the Classical Kids Program!















JUNE 2009
MALLORY BURTON

KVNO’s Classical Kid for June is 10 year-old pianist and violinist Mallory Burton, a student at Hitchcock Elementary in Millard. Mallory says she first heard KVNO on the radio when her mother would play classical music on the way to school – now, she says she listens to KVNO on her own, and loves to pretend she’s the soloist in the recording, playing along with the full orchestra! Her piano teacher says Mallory comes from a musical family and plays at a very mature level for her age. Mallory has competed in the piano division at both the local and state levels and earned a trophy at last year’s Nebraska Summer Music Olympics. KVNO salutes Mallory Burton and thanks the Soener Foundation for their ongoing support of the Classical Kids program!
















MAY 2009
FRANK DENG

Frank Deng is KVNO’s Classical Kid for May. An 11-year-old student at Reeder Elementary in Millard, Frank excels at the piano but has recently started learning the saxophone too. In fact, his saxophone teacher says Frank’s “sound” on the instrument is already impressive! When not practicing, you can find Frank listening to KVNO or studying his favorite subject in school – math! One of Frank’s most memorable musical moments was learning and playing the music of Beethoven – he says he loves to learn new things and to make himself smarter in the process. The Soener Foundation, in honor of Mary Belle Soener, sponsors KVNO’s Classical Kids.
















APRIL 2009
EDWARD BERRY

KVNO's Classical Kid for April is Edward Berry, a pianist, guitarist, saxophonist and tin whistle enthusiast! Edward is a 12 year-old student at St. Stephen the Martyr School; when not in school you'll find him practicing the various instruments he plays, reading, playing baseball or skiing. Edward says everyone gave him "high-fives" for a performance of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" at a school talent show when he was eight -- and he's been refining his Joplin technique ever since! KVNO thanks the Soener Foundation for their support of the Classical Kids program, and congratulates our newest Classical Kid, Edward Berry!
















MARCH 2009
YASMEEN BORA

Millard North Middle School student Yasmeen Bora has been selected as KVNO’s Classical Kid for the month of March! Yasmeen has been studying the violin since the age of 3, and over the past few years she’s played in dozens of recitals, charity events, talent shows and concerts. At the age of 10, Yasmeen was voted co-winner of the Orchestra Omaha Competition, and received an invitation to play a solo with the orchestra. Today, she says that opportunity remains one of her most memorable musical experiences! And when she’s not on stage, Yasmeen can be often be found exploring her passion for reading – she says “it’s great to be able to lose yourself in a good book”. KVNO’s Classical Kids Program is made possible with support from our listeners and from the Soener Foundation, in honor of Mary Belle Soener.















FEBRUARY 2009
J. J. TOY

KVNO's February Classical Kid comes to us from Westside Middle School -- 13 year-old J.J. Toy plays the piano and trumpet, and he recently recorded a CD of piano music written for him by his piano teacher, Jackson Berkey! J.J. participates in his school's Fall and Spring recitals, and is gaining experience with both classical and jazz styles. In addition to his musical pursuits, J.J. is fan of Legos, often using the small blocks to explore his interest in architecture. Join us in congratulating February's Classical Kid here at Classical 90.7 KVNO, J.J. Toy!















JANUARY 2009
MAYA MATTHEWS

KVNO's first Classical Kid for 2009 is 9-year-old pianist Maya Matthews. When not attending to her studies at Brownell-Talbot School or practicing the piano, you might find Maya dreaming of dancing on Broadway or just getting lost in a new book; she also loves listening to Classical 90.7 KVNO because it "helps her imagination soar." Her teachers say Maya makes intelligent and insightful connections in the music she learns -- they also say she's a reflective thinker and a disciplined student. Congratulations to Maya Matthews, KVNO's Classical Kid for January!