10-year-old Piano Prodigy to Perform at Avon Congregational Church

“You’re going to be very well known. We saw her first, everybody,” Ellen DeGeneres said after Umi Garrett’s performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Garrett, who was 8 at the time, played flawlessly during her first televised appearance.

At only 10 years old, Garrett has accomplished more than most accomplish in a lifetime. She’s performed with the Boston Pops and Wuhan Symphony in China and has won first prizes at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival and the J.S. Bach Competition.

Garrett has captivated audiences all over the world with her remarkable talent and on Sunday, May 22, she will perform at Avon Congregational Church, giving the community an opportunity to see a musical prodigy at work and contribute to a good cause. A portion of the proceeds will go towards relief efforts in Japan, per Garrett’s request.

“I can help people by playing piano. I did a charity concert for Japan and … we raised $3,400,” Garrett said. She looks forward to raising more money for Japan with this concert.

Garrett, a Southern California native, started playing piano at 4-1/2 years old. Her friends were learning piano, so she wanted to learn, too. After a couple years, her piano teacher recommended she work with Yoshie Akimoto, a classical pianist and teacher, to further develop her natural talent. Akimoto lives and works in Connecticut, but would travel to California to teach Garrett on occasion. 

“About a year ago, Umi was getting … invitations from orchestras and concert [halls] frequently and she had to get ready for those concerts, but if she [could] only see Ms. Akimoto once in awhile, she wouldn’t be ready for the concert,” Yuriko Garrett, Umi’s mother, said.

Yuriko Garrett decided to move from California to Connecticut so her daughter could prepare for upcoming performances around the world with Akimoto. They currently reside in New Caanan. Garrett’s father remains in California because of work.

Maintaining two residences and paying for piano lessons has been financially difficult for the Garrett family.

“When it’s really hard financially, we get a little help from supporters. … Now were in the process for looking for scholarships so Umi can continue working with Ms. Akimoto,” Yuriko Garrett said.

The idea for Garrett’s upcoming performance at Avon Congregational Church started with a YouTube message from Benita Rose, the church’s Director of Music Ministries. After Rose saw one of Garrett’s performances on YouTube, she sent a message asking the young pianist if she’d like to perform at the church.

“She likes when people have fun when she’s playing piano,” Yuriko Garrett said.

Garrett, who is a big fan of classical music, will play pieces by Bach, Chopin and Gershwin.

The performance will take place on Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. at Avon Congregational Church in the Fellowship Hall. Donations will be accepted. A portion of the proceeds will go towards relief efforts in Japan.

For further information, call the Avon Congregational Church at 860-678-0488, or visit www.avon-church.org. 

To learn more about Umi Garrett, please visit www.umipiano.com.