Student plays keys for success

Johnny Cummiford, 15,
has been recognized as one
of the area's young piano prodigies.

The eighth-grader at Carden Academy in Huntington Beach is recognized as one of the area's top classical piano prodigies.

Johnny, 15, has been playing the piano since he was 3. He was recently asked to play at the Sunrise Senior Center in Huntington Beach. The director of the senior center had heard Johnny play a few weeks earlier during a holiday party and liked him so much that he hired him to perform at the senior center.

The senior center offered to pay Johnny for his performance, but the teen declined to accept the money.

What motivates you to play the piano?

Music has always been an important part of my life. When I was 3, I started banging on the keys of a piano we had at home and that's how I really got started. When my father died soon after, I was able to play at his funeral. That meant a lot to me.

My mom also inspired me to play. She was born in Vietnam and was selected at the age of 16 to participate in a prestigious program in Moscow.

Besides your mom, who else inspires you musically?

I really like Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. His pieces are more elaborate than anyone else. People who can play the music of Rachmaninoff truly understand the art. He is quite challenging to play. It I get a real joy out of it.

Will you pursue a career in music after you finish school?

Probably not. I love music, but it won't be my primary focus.

I think I actually want to be a plastic surgeon when I get older. I think I want to eventually go to the University of Southern California or University of California Berkeley to study medicine and music will likely be my second major.

Do you play other instruments?

I also play the drums and some guitar. I currently am in a band with seven other friends. Our band name is the Skinz and we play a lot of classic rock. I play the drums in the band. It's a good change of pace for me.

Contact the writer: 714-445-6687 or fleal@ocregister.com

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