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Practice Gets Wyckoff 11-Year-Old Pianist To Carnegie Hall

Article By: Logan Williamson, Patch.com Staff
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WYCKOFF, NJ — As the old musicians' joke goes, the fastest way to Carnegie Hall is "practice, practice, practice."
Eleven-year-old Kathryn Moran gave herself unreservedly to this principle, and just six years after starting her journey across the ivories, the Fifth Grader performed in March at the prestigious venue.

"Kathryn playing piano in Carnegie Hall never crossed our mind," her mom Lilibeth Moran said. "It was such a surreal moment for my husband and I to watch her perform."

Kathryn, a student at the Melody Institute of Music and Art, started taking piano lessons when she was five years old at Wyckoff Family YMCA.

Kathryn Moran stumbled upon Melody Institute in Wyckoff when she was seven years old and has taken lessons there with teacher Shelia Huang ever since, the young pianist's mother said.

It was Huang — whom Kathyrn credits for inspiring her over the past several years — who entered the young pianist in last year's Elite International Music Competition, Moran's mom said.

"Sheila has been instrumental in Kathryn’s dedication and love of playing piano," Moran told Patch.
The Wyckoff fifth grader, then 10, claimed first place in the 9-to-12-age group with her performance of German composer Friedrich Burgmüller's "The Spring Op. 109 No. 5."

Kathryn was subsequently invited to repeat her performance in the slightly larger venue, Carnegie Hall.
"It was a great experience," said her mom. "We are so proud of her."

Aside from playing piano and training for future piano competitions, Kathryn is also a "remarkable student" at Lincoln Elementary School in Wyckoff, her principal Patrick Lee said.

"We are very proud of her at Lincoln School," Principal Lee said. "I am proud not only of her talent and accomplishment, but also of the dedication and perseverance required for her to rise to the top in her competition."