Tchaikovsky, Judy Garland, and The Beatles are among the famous artists who have graced New York’s Carnegie Hall – and now, 10-year-old Prebbleton School student Edison Li is set to join this prestigious list.
In November, Edison entered the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, encouraged by his piano teacher. The competition, open to both students and adults worldwide, spans multiple instruments, including piano, strings, and voice.
Hundreds of talented musicians submitted video performances on YouTube for a chance at the top honors. Edison performed Chopin’s Mazurka in A minor – an advanced piece that he took on as a personal challenge, without expecting to place highly.
Last month, Edison’s mother, Mandy Liu, received an email informing her that he had won third place in the young musicians category (ages 5-10). The email also included an invitation for Edison to perform at Carnegie Hall on June 22.
“I was so overwhelmed I couldn’t sleep that night. I couldn’t wait to share the news with him in the morning,” Liu said.
“When he woke up, I told him, and for about three to five seconds, he was stunned. He just couldn’t believe it.”
It was a memorable moment for the family, who were on holiday in China at the time and shared the news with Edison’s cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents.
“We were so thrilled,” Liu said.
Edison himself is feeling both “excited and nervous” about performing in New York. He spent four months perfecting his piece for the competition, but in October, a health issue nearly set him back. Edison was hospitalized for a week due to a low white blood cell count, but rather than discouraging him, this experience only strengthened his determination.
Once home, Edison practiced harder than ever, dedicating an hour before and after school every day.
“He becomes incredibly determined when he sets his mind to something,” Liu said.
Edison’s musical journey began at the age of five when he was a typical energetic child who struggled to sit still. As a result, his parents, Liu and David Li, enrolled him in piano lessons. Initially reluctant to practice, Edison’s attitude changed after achieving a score of 84 out of 100 in his grade 1 examination.
When it was time for his grade 2 exam, Edison earned the top mark in the country – 98 out of 100.
Along with his musical talent, Edison is a parkour athlete, hip hop dancer, basketball player, footballer, and drummer, where he earned a distinction last year. However, Edison says the piano remains his true passion.
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