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Kids Inspiring Kids
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| A CD IS PLAYING, featuring an accomplished cello soloist. Impeccable rhythm, beautiful phrasing, and a joyous, singing tone fill the room. This musician is obviously gifted with fine technique and mature musical understanding, yet the tone of the cello isn't quite as sophisticated as other cellos featured on professionally produced CDs. A view of the title on the dust jacket explains it: Reflections from the 3rd grade. The player is 9 years old, and the cello we are hearing is a 1/4 size. His name is Sebastian Stoger-DeMayo, and he is the son of Austrian composer and saxophonist Gottfried Stoger and singer and dancer Amelia DeMayo of New York City. Now 10, Sebastian plays on a 3/4-size Jay Haide a l'ancienne cello that was purchased from Johnson's. He is a student of Yari Bond at the Special Music School in Manhattan, a dual-curriculum public school for musically gifted children founded by the Kaufman Center. Sebastian's many accomplishments include the distinction of being the youngest in his age group to win the 2009 Concerto Competition for cello performance at the Kaufman Center in New York City. He then went on to win first prize in the 2009 Alexander & Buono International String Competition in the cello category. The winners of these competitions had the honor of performing their pieces at Merkin Hall and Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall. Sebastian regularly performs with his father and other professional musicians, including noted Broadway composer and pianist Steven Marzullo. Sebastian premiered Marzullo's Suite for Cello and Piano in 2008 at Jacob's Pillow, the summer dance center in Becket, Massachusetts. The piece was choreographed by Broadway's Chet Walker for the festival's "A Jazz Happening," which brings Broadway to the Berkshires. Sebastian played the Marzullo Suite at the world-famous jazz club Birdland in NYC, and once more at the Lincoln Center Public Library on his new Haide cello. Gottfried Stoger says of his talented son, "Sebastian has a natural gift to connect with his audience and with other kids . . . He is a communicator." He also praises the special teaching talents of Yari Bond, who connects so well with each of her young students. Tap dancing, karate, and soprano sax lessons are part of Sebastian's life as well, and he and his 7-year-old sister, violinist Lena-Marie, perform frequently with other children in concerts organized by their father in Manhattan churches throughout the year. There is no question the Stoger-DeMayo children have inherited the musical gifts of their talented parents. Gottfried Stoger had a classical music upbringing in Salzburg before moving to the United States to study jazz at the Manhattan School of Music and University of Miami. He has collaborated with major folk and jazz artists from all over the world, including Toninho Horta, Theodosii Spassov, Kenny Werner, Billy Hart, Toots Theilman, and Marc Copland. He also commissioned a piece from composer Keith Kramer that features bass trombonist Dave Taylor. Many of Stoger's compositions are featured on Pleasures, a CD (available on CDBaby) by his ensemble, Dreamhunter. Sebastian's mother, Amelia DeMayo, had an active performing career as a singer, dancer, and actress, touring Europe in musical theatre productions. Currently a sought-after voice teacher, she runs a teaching studio in Manhattan where she trains kids for Broadway shows. She also directs musical productions by the Broadway Youth ensemble. The family came to Johnson's Newton store in December to close their 1/4-size cello rental account and apply their rental equity to the purchase of a larger cello. With the help of JSI salesperson, cellist, and luthier Marsha Hassett, Sebastian decided on the Haide for its rich tone. Says Gottfried, "We love the sound of this cello, and Marsha was fantastic to work with!" Gottfried also notes that Johnson's is more kid-friendly than some of the New York shops he's visited. "You have the best service of any violin shop we've worked with." He adds that many shops aren't equipped to work with young children playing high-quality, small-sized instruments, and finds that traveling to Boston to visit JSI in person is well worth the time. |
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We certainly hope they'll stop by again this summer on their way to Jacob's Pillow. Sebastian will debut another piece by Marzullo, and will no doubt find time to enjoy other activities listed on his resume: "fishing, swimming, bikeriding, and gathering wild chanterelle mushrooms in the forest." Hear Sebastian play: Breval's Rondo Marzullo's Suite: 1st Movement Catch Sebastian's performance at Jacob's Pillow! Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for summer concert details. |
