Young Suburban Piano Prodigy to Train With Famous Classical Pianist

Photo credit: Joshua Mhoon website

At the age of 12, Joshua Mhoon of Arlington Heights is a piano prodigy.

In the four short years he has been playing, his accomplishments have been many: He finished first place three times at the Granquist Music Competition, finished first twice at the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association competition and took first in Merit’s Conservatory Music Competition. He opened for The Jackson’s and Nick Cannon at the Lincoln Center in New York and has performed for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Vice Premier of China, Jan Chu.

But, his biggest feat was recently realized when he was selected as one of 10 pianists from 300 entrants from 49 countries to train with his idol, Lang Lang, next month at the Allianz Junior Music Camp in Austria.

“He is like the Michael Jackson of classical musical,” Jun Mhoon said of Lang Lang. “(Joshua) is so excited to train with him. He wants to be Lang Lang.”

A Normal Kid

Joshua Mhoon is not just a piano prodigy. He is also a genius. The Mhoons recently had his IQ tested and found Joshua measured among the top 2 percent of the population. He is now a member of MENSA, which only accepts people with the highest IQs.

But, sometimes, the 7th grader at Quest Academy doesn’t really get that he’s different.

“He thinks everyone can do what he does,” Jun Mhoon said. “It comes pretty easy to him.”

For that reason, getting him to practice the piano can be a chore.

“You got to kind of push him to do it,” Mhoon said.

But, when it comes to performing, Joshua Mhoon “goes into a zone,” his father said.

“He loves performing,” Jun Mhoon said. “He becomes this other person. And this other person is really, really good.”

But when it comes down to it, Joshua is “very normal” and a good kid who loves baseball.

“He would probably pick baseball over practicing the piano,” his dad said with a laugh. “That’s good. That helps keep him and us grounded.”

His Musical Start

Every parent wants better for their child.

That’s why when Joshua’s mom suggested musical lessons for Joshua, Jun was reluctant. Jun was a drummer for the Staple Singers and has performed with Jessy Dixon, Paul Simon, the Count Basie Orchestra and Thad Jones. He went on to own his own record label and serve as an adjunct professor at Harold Washington College and Columbia College, both in Chicago.

He said he knew how competitive the musical industry could be and he wanted better for his child.

But, with Joshua’s mother hoping musical lessons would help Joshua improve his math skills, Jun relented. At Joshua’s first piano lesson, the then-8-year-old ended up playing “Minuet in G Major” by Bach. His piano teacher at the time asked Joshua’s parents how long the 8-year-old had playing and was very surprised to learn it was Joshua’s first time at the piano.

What’s Next

Joshua and his mom and dad will be in Austria from Nov. 18 to 24 as Joshua takes part in Lang Lang’s music camp. You can learn more about Joshua and follow along on his most-recent accomplishments on his website: https://joshuamhoon.bandpage.com/.