12-year-old Kumamoto violinist performs at New York’s Carnegie Hall

NEW YORK – Twelve-year-old violinist Sora Iwai from earthquake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture, has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York after winning the top prize in the under-18 division of an international music competition.

Iwai, a sixth grader who lives in the city of Kumamoto, played Franz Waxman’s “Carmen Fantasie” before an audience of about 250 on Aug. 1.

“I felt I had to do my part, too,” Iwai said as his home prefecture works toward recovering from a July 28 quake that registered the maximum 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale.

Unfazed by the crowd, Iwai completed his performance, drawing loud applause.

“The acoustics at Carnegie Hall were very good,” he said.

Iwai’s dream is to become a violinist who performs around the world.

“I think performing here brought me closer to my dream,” he said.

Spanish-born musician Felix Ardanaz, who accompanied Iwai on piano, praised his interpretation of the piece.

“He really understands the emotion of Carmen Fantasie,” he said. Iwai is “so extremely talented, extremely musical, and of course, for his age, that’s incredible.”

He added, “I really hope that Sora could play afterwards in many, many concert halls after this competition because this is the main goal of the Manhattan competition.”

Iwai first picked up a violin at age 2 under the guidance of his parents, Hiroshi and Fumi Iwai, both string musicians, and began practicing seriously at 4.

He regularly hones his skills through performances at events including concerts at Tsuruya Department Store in Kumamoto.

His parents submitted a video of him playing to the Manhattan International Music Competition, which seeks outstanding musicians from around the world.

Judges selected Iwai for the First Grand Award in the Junior division. He was invited to perform alongside winners in other divisions.

On July 17, Iwai visited Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Onishi, who offered him words of encouragement.

But on July 28, the day before he was due to leave for the United States, the temblor struck while he was practicing at home.

Iwai’s home suffered no major damage, but he left Kumamoto with the disaster weighing on his mind.

After completing his performance on the stage he dreamed of, Iwai said he wanted to return home to check on the safety of his grandparents and friends.