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Written by Donovan Henderson
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Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
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Ryley Bowen has plucked the ebonies and ivories for 2 1/2 years now. As just a fifth grader, that qualifies him as a veteran pianist and performer.
And, like a veteran, he modestly shrugs when talking about the prospect of performing in front of a theater full of people.
“I don’t get nervous in front of people I don’t know,” he said.
Really? So with hundreds of people in the audience, you’ll sit in front of the keys and play “Maple Leaf Rag” without breaking a sweat?
“Yup.”
Hey, the kid’s a pro.
He’s not alone. Bowen joins 21 other talented youngsters as part of the Kiwanis Club “Stars of Tomorrow” talent show next week.
And make no mistake, these students are something special.
Sixteen of them gathered for a photo shoot last week, and they stood on stage for at least 45 minutes, waiting for other kids to show, getting moved around by the photographer, trying different poses, etc. In all that time, there was little squirming and no complaining.
“They’re all such good kids,” Dottie Crews said. “They can relate to each other, and they are so focused.”
Crews and Dorothy Elder have been organizing the Stars show for the past 14 years.
“If you did a cumulative IQ test of all the kids up there (on the stage),” Elder said, smiled and pointed, “it’d put us all to shame.”
Most of the youngsters will sing, but there are a few other piano players like Bowen, a cellist, a marimba player, and even one youngster who will do a monologue.
“It’s mind boggling how active these kids are,” Elder said.
And lest you think this is a mini version of “American Idol,” Elder points out that the entire process, from auditioning to the competition, is done to encourage and nurture the students’ talent. Everyone gets applause.
Elder’s favorite part is seeing a kid just nail a performance.
“That always blows me away.”
TO GO:
• Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow
• 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23
• Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. Greeley
• $6 adults, $3 students
• Call 356-5000
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