It has been said that “it takes a village to raise a child“, and in Charlie’s case, it certainly did! Here are a list of people we’re especially thankful to (the musicians below are also featured in Charlie’s photo gallery here inside “Musicians” album):
Mr. Lang Lang and his International Music Foundation - We’re truly honored and humbled when Charlie was selected to become (the youngest) winner of the first scholarship rewarded by the foundation back in October 2008. Since then a number of dream-come-true events happened as direct or indirect results.
Mrs. Elena Rossman and her American Association for the Development of the Gifted and Talented Kids (AADGT). Charlie and the other two Lang Lang Foundation Scholarship winners were presented by her to the Lang Lang Foundation before they were selected to be the winners.
Charlie’s Piano Teachers:
- Professor Ingrid Clarfield of Princeton, NJ started teaching Charlie from Aug. 2007. Mrs. Clarfield is one of the top piano teachers in NJ and her studio has produced numerous NJ state competition and other competition winners.
- Mrs. Soo Kyung Cho of Princeton Junction, NJ helped teaching Charlie together with Mrs. Clarfield from Sept. 2007 - June 2008 due to Mrs. Clarfield’s health condition. She is a great teacher and has top winners in NJ state and other competitions regularly.
- Ms. Irina Kirilenko of Northfield, NH taught Charlie from late Aug. 2006 - end of June 2007. She is a classical pianist and composer. Charlie got wonderful performance opportunities arranged by Irina including his first solo recital.
- Ms. Tatyana Berketova of Brookline, MA taught Charlie from Sept. 2004 - Aug. 2006. She is a wonderful teacher and great with little kids like Charlie and Charlie blossomed under her instructions.
The Plowshares Childcare at Lincoln Eliot. Charlie had two wonderful years of preschool in this small yet wonderfully warm and caring preschool. Mary, Annie, Marcia, Shamin, Phoebe and many more teachers gave Charlie, an extremely shy kid at the time, a wonderful experience and much confidence. We’re still in touch with them regularly even though we’re in a different state!
Many many others! Charlie had great fun at his schools, the hockey and other sports associations, and benefited from programs, activities, friends. Again, it certainly does take a village to raise a child!