James Wilson was barely out of diapers when he first touched the keys of a piano. Nine years later at the age of 12, James has already competed and placed in various competitions both national and international.
The seventh-grader placed third in international competitions in both Texas and Tennessee and won Asian American Music Society’s international competition in 2009 at the age of 9, which led to his performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. James was given the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall last November, though not in competition. James most recently competed in the Lagny-sur-Marne in France. Through it all, no matter whether he is placing in competitions or not, music has become an essential part of who James is.
“Music is important,” James said. “For one, it is a way to express yourself, but it is a way to give people that mood. If someone is down and you play a happy piece, you can change their mood, they are… uplifted almost.”
Wilson’s passion for playing music became evident when his parents sent him and his three siblings to piano lessons as the teacher suggested.
“We did not plan on him having a lesson, it was by chance,” recalled James’ mother, Noriko Wilson. “The other kids were going to the lesson and the teacher asked why we don’t just bring all four.”
Within no time it was apparent that Wilson was naturally talented.
“Somehow he blossomed quickly,” said Mrs. Wilson. “He surpassed his siblings, the teacher contacted us and asked what we should do.”
Although young James took an immediate liking to the practice and showed a lot of promise, his mother noticed he struggled with the way he was being taught.
“It was very strict, that’s how they are in Asia,” she said. “His teacher was the same way, very strict, and even though he liked playing piano at the same time it was very difficult for him.”
Realizing they needed to find a new teacher for their son, James’ dad, Matt, started looking for a job stateside and his mom began the search for a new piano teacher that would suit her son. Noriko’s aim was to find an instructor that James could learn from but who also would encourage his enjoyment of the art.
“The previous teacher [was] not suiting his needs,” said Noriko. “ I spent more than a year looking for the right teacher, I was about to cry then we found Dr. Bogard.”
Dr. Wilson was offered a job as the Associate Dean of the College of Law at UW and so the pair looked at Wyoming for possible candidates for instructors for James.
Instructing strictly college-level performers save for one other pupil, Dr. Theresa Bogard, UW piano instructor and world-renowned concert pianist, said she made a very special exception when she took James under her wing. When asked what convinced her to do so she simply replied “him.”
She recalled that in 2009 James came to a camp with a fellow prestigious piano instructor, Gary Amano. Bogard considered coaching James when Amano recommended the then 9-year-old James, but was sold when she met him.
“What’s not to like about James?” Bogard asked rhetorically. “In addition to talent he also has a great personality.”
Bogard explained her teaching philosophy differs from many of her fellow instructors in that she uses positive re-enforcement. With this said, she explained that she most definitely drives James to be the best musician he can be.
“My whole thing as a teacher is to push students really, really far – as far as I can without breaking them, “explained Bogard. “Musicians are sensitive and [James] is no exception, which is why he is a great player.”
To James, being a great player is about expressing himself as well as affecting his listeners. Although James said he aims to leave an impression on his audience, slow, ethereal pieces are not his favorite. The young musician expressed interest in more fast-paced works such as the Muczynski he played at Lagny-sur-Marne. To give an idea of the tempo, the contemporary work was inspired by a car crash. Bogard deems it necessary to be able to play any and all types of pieces not only from each era of music but also every category. Currently she has James working on a piece titled Ondine by French composer Claude Debussy.
“I like to play fast,” said James. “Ondine is really difficult for me because it is a very slow and majestic piece and I don’t like that.”
Even though his mother and teacher attest to the fact James is supremely talented, they agree the young composer has faced challenges in the past and will continue to battle obstacles throughout his career. In addition to continuing to grow and develop, James has to balance playing piano with school and any other extra curricular activities he might pursue. Typically James practices for at least three hours every day.
“I spend a lot of time catching up on homework,” said James. “I do some extracurricular sports and will be competing in the spelling bee but I make sure piano is my first priority.”
Although James has recently entered middle school, Bogard admitted that in order to become a professional pianist he is and will continue to have to essentially give up his childhood. But she made it clear that becoming a world-famous professional pianist is about more than just sacrifices; playing has to be a need and an obsession.
“You give up your whole life,” said 52-year-old Bogard. “You have to have to.”
James said he fully intends on keeping his passion for piano alive and following in Bogard’s footsteps. Bogard sees James’ goals coming to fruition, especially since he is already so advanced for his age.
Bogard explained that James is still growing technically and has a lot of practice ahead of him, but that he could still give a senior recital as a performance major right now. James agrees that he still needs work of course but expressed faith that he will one day be considered a prominent pianist.
“I hope to continue on to win more competitions and one day I want to be able to go to Eastman where my professor went,” said James. “I want to be a professor in piano performance and go around the world and play concerts.”
