A Bittersweet COVID-19 Story When 4-year-old Brigitte Xie started playing piano a year ago during lockdowns, nobody could’ve predicted her instant talent for music. Not only can the preschooler read music, but she can also play a note-perfect rendition of Beethoven’s “Sonatina in F Major,” despite her feet dangling far above the pedals. Last December, Brigitte won the Elite National Music Competition, and in March this year, she won first place in one of the most prestigious music competitions of all time: the American Protégé International Competition. It won her an invitation to perform at the world-renowned music venue Carnegie Hall in New York City this November. There’s only one problem: All performers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and Brigitte is too young to be vaccinated. Despite the disheartening news, she will be given another chance to perform at a future concert in Carnegie Hall in 2022. In sweeter news, Brigitte herself doesn’t find much of a difference where she plays for now. Her mother Nichole Sun from Ridgefield, Connecticut, told Good News Network, “She doesn’t know much to be honest; I tell her, ‘Yeah, baby, you won the prize’ and she was like ‘Okay, can we go to the Disney store now?’” For now, the only thing that appeals to the 4-year-old is simply performing. “I tell her, ‘You’re going to perform in front of many people,’ and she seemed excited because she likes performing.” Nicole was thrilled that her daughter showed such prodigious talent, especially as a pianist herself, but she plans to never push the musician’s path onto Brigitte. “As a parent, I’m still open to everything. I don’t tell her that she must be a pianist. Whatever she wants to be is fine.” Free of any pressure or influence, Brigitte’s pure love for music is admirable, although she makes plenty of time for being a kid. She chooses to practice 45 minutes per day, with a half-hour lesson every week. She aspires to perform Mozart when she takes the stage once more, and had she been able to play this year, she could have potentially been the youngest ever to play on Carnegie Hall’s famed stage. YOUNGEST WINNER OF INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION CAN’T CLAIM HER PRIZE
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