Twelve-year-old Gregory Gibson relates playing the piano to speaking another language. And that language is music.

Gregory, who has been playing the piano since he was just six years old, landed himself the opportunity to perform at the provincial Kiwanis Music Festival for intermediate piano to be held in Toronto at the beginning of June.

“This is very exciting,” said Gregory’s mother, Nancy Gibson. “It’s a thrill for him to be recognized. He’s put a lot of work into this. And it’s amazing for him to be realizing he’s got to such a high level.”

Gibson explained that throughout the month of April, Gregory performed at the Grade 8 piano level in the Barrie Kiwanis Music Festival. Playing in front of judges in the style of contemporary, romantic and classical piano pieces, in three separate performances, Gregory received the best three overall marks and placed first in the intermediate division. He received a $150 scholarship and an award as well as the chance to play at the provincials.

“I would be guessing, but I think (Gregory) was competing against between 30 and 50 others,” said Gibson. “Playing in the Grade 8 level of piano is equivalent to getting a Grade 12 high school music credit.”

Currently in Grade 7 piano, for the past year, Gibson has been taking lessons from local pianist Sarah Spring. Nancy indicated that she and her husband strongly believe in music for children and each of their three sons play an instrument.

“Music has always been something special in our family,” she said. “Gregory was a very quick learner. He started in a keyboard group and we realized it was obvious he would benefit from private lessons so we switched him over to piano. Sarah has been behind Gregory every step of the way. She’s a wonderful, dynamic teacher and she’s very dedicated. He expresses himself through music and we treat it as an enrichment opportunity for him.”

In the recent past, Gibson has received the opportunity to play in various piano recitals around Ontario, including Parry Sound, Barrie and Toronto. He’s been an invited guest to perform at seniors’ homes like Muskoka Landing Long Term Care Centre and Roger’s Cove, and last year he was the recipient of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts’ junior scholarship.

“When he won that (scholarship), Gregory said, ‘This makes me feel like a real musician.’ Getting acknowledged has always been important to him. He’s received some places before playing in Kiwanis competitions and he’s received some first places in classes as well, but moving on to provincials is quite an honour. It’s hard to get that level. I never got there myself. Gregory does his best when he’s in competition.”

When asked how it makes him feel to have won the intermediate division in the festival, Gregory stated that it makes him realize just how far he’s come along since Grade 1 piano.  

“I wouldn’t say playing the piano is a hobby yet,” said Gregory. “I need a bit of telling to play, but I’m getting better at it. I think I practise hard. I’m supposed to be the person who won the Barrie Kiwanis Music Festival, so if I lose everyone will be disappointed. But I’m also very excited because I’ve heard a lot about provincial finals being really fun and I want to see for myself.”

Spring, who teaches Gregory piano out of her Huntsville home studio once a week, said that he is a skilled piano player and she looks forward to the lessons with him.

“Gregory is a total pleasure to teach,” she said. “The thing I’ve noticed him improve on the most this year is his maturity in performance. It’s as if he’s hearing the piece before he even begins.”