Honors for local piano prodigy

The Royal Conservatory of Music awarded eight-year-old pianist Marcus Yu first-class honors after he was adjudicated for his grade one performance at Surrey, B.C., last month.

Marcus, the son of Blaine residents Shawn and Karen Yu, performed four pieces from different periods of music, one of which was a two-part invention, and another a study. His exam also included three major scales, two minor scales, triads and inversions, sight-reading, rhythm and melody playback tests.

“I’m pleased with Marcus’ performance,” said teacher Richard Clark. “He had learned 115 elementary pieces after studying with me for 10 months - more than any student I’ve ever taught. He has everything going for him - a love of music, discipline tempered with a sense of humor, and a daily regimen of practice.”