Meet The 9-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Blowing Everyone's Minds | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Meet The 9-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Blowing Everyone's Minds

Jacob Velasquez better known as baby Beethoven was 4 years old when he discovered his amazing musical talent now he's 9 and as great as ever before.

42
Meet The 9-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Blowing Everyone's Minds
ABC News

Jacob Velasquez, better known as "baby Beethoven," was four years old when he discovered his amazing musical talent. His mother, Tina Velazquez, was in a different room when she heard the piano being played. She assumed it was her husband, but soon discovered it was really four year old Jacob playing. He had watched his father playing the song the night before, memorized the notes, and replayed them with amazing precision and skill.

When his parents realized that Jacob could play, they enrolled him in piano lessons, which proved difficult as he was only four at the time and most instructors said he should be at least five but preferably seven. The piano instructor they found says that Jacob learned Beethoven’s Sonata in just three weeks and that he’s mastering songs in one class that takes most children a month to learn. He then performed at the National Musician's Guild, something that even veteran musicians get nervous about. Young Jacob was admitted into the Guild after he memorized and performed ten classical pieces. Jacob has also performed before the Miami-Dade Mayor and 13 Commissioners and recently opened the NBA Miami Heat game with the National Anthem.

At age 5 he was featured on a news station in Florida and soon after the story sparked America's interest in the young prodigy. He appeared on several national shows, including Good Morning America where his mother explained that he was diagnosed with a form of high-functioning autism a few months after he began playing piano and uses his music as an outlet to express himself. For example, he'll play faster when he's anxious or harder and in lower keys when he's angry.


At 7, Jacob released his first album "Jacob" in early 2015 with multi-award winning producer and songwriter, Hal S. Batt. The eleven tracks range from a blend of popular classical piano pieces with an uplifting electronic dance groove, to timeless piano solos with the accompaniment of a string quartet. “The album itself is energetic and fun and we just hope that many will enjoy it as much as Jacob has enjoyed making it,” his father Willie said. “We’re really happy that we can combine these two genres to introduce young people to classical music and make it fun.” His album is available on iTunes or a CD and can be purchased from his website which also keeps Jacobs fans up to date on all of his events. For example, Jacob is performing with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in April.

Jacob loves being in the recording studio and one day dreams of becoming an actor & music producer.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189465
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14445
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457489
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26436
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments