Today, pianist Umi Garrett is an award-winning pianist with an active career as a professional musician. But 11 years ago she was making her From the Top debut at age 9!
For today’s Daily Joy, we’re sharing her performance of Liszt’s “Gnomenreigen” (Dance of the Gnomes).
Alisa Viejo, CA Umi Garrett appeared most recently on Show 217, recorded in June 2010, at age 9.
Program bio from Show 217:
Umi Garrett (piano), 9, hails from Aliso Viejo, California, where she is in the fourth grade at Carden Academy and studies piano with Yoshie Akimoto. Umi says she loves to play piano because she “can express feelings by making beautiful sounds.” She made her symphony debut with the Desert Symphony in Palm Desert, California in December. Umi plays violin in addition to piano, and also enjoys drawing, painting, dancing, swimming, playing chess, and riding her bicycle. She appeared on From the Top earlier this year (Show 211) and was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
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