Karalen High School student Nicholas Rossi has been using music to express himself, dating back to his middle school days when he started playing a new instrument.
“He first picked up the saxophone in the sixth grade brass band,” said Melissa Llanos Rossi, Nicholas’ mother. “He started teaching himself that summer. He really loves his instrument. He sets goals for himself and is a bit of a perfectionist.”
From there, he practiced seven to eight hours a day to improve his sound.
Those close to him have watched him work on his craft countless times.
“He dedicates more time to his instrument than any other student I’ve ever met,” said Calalen High School Band Director Jeff Walpertz.
Rossi’s musical talents have earned the junior numerous accolades thus far, including membership in the All-American Band and being the Houston Underground’s sole Grand Prize winner.
“It was always easy to work with him,” said Nicolas’ instructor Eduardo Rivera. “That’s the best way to put it. He’s a very enthusiastic student. He does the repertoire I assign him perfectly.”
Rossi recently received his latest award: a $10,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award and a future performance on NPR’s YouTube channel.
The young musician said he was excited about the opportunity and decided to give advice to anyone looking to improve their sound.
“The practice schedule has to be relentless,” he said. “You have to do whatever it takes to get better, and whatever speed it takes to get better, but don’t lose the fun along the way.”
Rossi plans to practice until he is ready for an eight-minute performance on his YouTube channel “From the Top” next spring.
As for the future, I would like to go to university to become a music educator.
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