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Carole Mikita Reporting Forty-one of the world's top young pianists are in Salt Lake for the Gina Bachauer International Competition. Opening Ceremonies are tonight.
We caught up with one of the competitors here for the first time.
"It's really such a prestigious competition and so well-known around th world. That's why it's such an exciting thing to be accepted and be part of it."
Jayson Gillham, 19, of Brisbane, Australia is one of the youngest competitors in this year's Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. He cannot remember not loving music and being attracted to the piano. Jayson began playing at age four and now he finds himself approaching his dream.
"To win could mean the beginning of a career as a concert pianist."
Jayson Gillham/ Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition: "You have to be appealing to the audience. You have to bring the audience into the music, so that they can experience it and walk through the music with you."
Achieving that takes practice-- six hours a day, many of them spent in the company of his teacher.
Carole Mikita: "So what made you want to take him on as a student? What did you see in him?"
Leah Horowitz/ Jayson's teacher: "He took me on as a teacher. What can you do to a 14-year-old? And I said, 'We'll see if the chemistry works.' We've had a heap of fun and it's been a journey, hasn't it?"
Carole Mikita: "You must be pleased he's made this competition."
Leah Horowitz: "Oh, we didn't expect this. We're just over the moon."
Their journey has taken them to America for the first time. Now all Jayson Gillham has to do is impress the judges and keep playing through the finals.
Round One starts tomorrow at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The competition continues there until the finals with the Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall. Tickets are available.
