Musical lives
What does it feel like to give a concert performance at the age of seven? Or to be world-famous when you are ten? These were the experiences of Chopin,Michael Jackson and many other child prodigies. Did they lead normal lives when they were growing up? Or did they spend all of their time practising the piano or rehearsing dance moves? What about some of today's talented young musicians?
Simon Porter was born in 1997 and she began playing the violin when she was three. Simon has performed with orchestras around the world and in 2008 she appeared in front of an audience of over 40,000 people. Simon is artistic as well as musical. In her free time she likes writing and drawing. In fact,she's designed all her concert dresses.
Michael Province is another successful young violinist.
Michael has won first place in many classical music competitions and appeared on TV. Michael spends a lot of time practising. He's got alot of friends but he hasn't got enough time for them or for a social life.
Composer, conductor and pianist Alex is in a similar situation. Music has dominated his life. He's only 16, but he's written over 40 pieces of music. When he was attending a London school,he had a difficult time with bullies. He had lessons at home for a year and then entered the St Petersburg Conservatory.
These three young people haven't had 'normal' childhoods. Have their lives been better or worse than ordinary kids'? What do you think?