12 YEAR OLD PIANO PRODIGY SERIES

The teen underwent an MRI at the University of California, San Francisco with a mini keyboard on his lap and performed a series of auditory tests, the outlet reported. Limb specializes in studying MRI brain scans to better understand how exceptionally creative people’s brains work and in Matthew’s case, was curious to know why his brain seems to work better when improvising tunes, according to 60 Minutes.Īfter some hesitation from the Whitakers, Matthew’s parents agreed to let the young pianist participate in Limb’s study. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Under Sakas’ leadership and guidance, Matthew was performing around the world when his story intrigued Limb, a surgeon and neuroscientist with a musical background. He’s obviously, you know, got something to offer to the world and so you want to make that possible.” Because you have someone of this talent, of this creativity, this enthusiasm. “It was scary more than exhausting,” Sakas explained to the outlet. Though Sakas told 60 Minutes it is “insane” how Matthew can listen to a piece of music once and then recite it, she also admitted that it was a bit frightening to play such an influential role in the musician’s life. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York City, Matthew’s talents began to flourish. With a very clear sign of their son’s talent in front of them, the Whitakers decided to hire a piano teacher for Matthew.Īnd once he started working with Dalia Sakas, the director of music studies at the Filomen M. And they don’t play chords and the harmonies and all of that. Because most kids don’t play with both hands. “They were nursery rhymes more so than anything,” Moses said on 60 Minutes. By the time he was 3, Matthew was showing off his musical talents with a keyboard that his grandfather gifted him, according to the outlet. “Except rather than just wondering I’m actually trying to answer the question.”Īs it turned out, music was the very thing that got Matthew moving, with him crawling toward speakers as an infant to feel the music.

“I think anytime somebody watches Matthew play piano the first thing that you think is, ‘How does he do that?'” Limb told 60 Minutes. Charles Limb with a study aimed at better understanding how exceptionally talented musicians’ brains work. Last spring, the Hackensack, New Jersey teen appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival for the very first time, and now he’s involved in a new venture: helping Dr. Since he was 11 years old, Matthew has been performing jazz piano recitals, appearing in more than 200 clubs and concert halls globally, the outlet reported. Matthew Whitaker was born prematurely and with many health issues, but that hasn’t stopped the 18-year-old from making a name for himself and pursuing his dreams as a world-traveling pianist, according to CBS’ 60 Minutes. A blind jazz piano prodigy is taking the world by storm - so much so that scientists are studying his brain to figure out how he’s able to master those talents.

12 year old piano prodigy