Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto was the first classical piece that captured the attention of Scott Meek ’05.

As a child, he attended a live performance of the concerto by Jon Kimura-Parker. He immediately connected with the performer, who, he discovered, was half-Japanese and half-Canadian, just like him. Scott purchased the Prokofiev score, and two years later, Kimura-Parker autographed it for him.

Fast forward to spring 2003. Scott is preparing Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto as his entry in the 2003-04 Oberlin Concerto Competition, to be held in October, but he can't get the Prokofiev Third out of his mind. He changes his competition entry.

The piece that first got him hooked on classical music brought Scott victory: he was one of four concerto competition winners this past year. He performed in March 2004 in Finney Chapel with the Oberlin Orchestra, guest conducted by Glen Cortese. The concert was broadcast live on WCLV 104.9 FM, Clevelandís classical music radio station. Scott's Prokofiev also was heard on the McGraw Hill Companies' Young Artists Showcase on WQXR, the classical station of the New York Times.

A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Scott is a double-degree candidate in piano performance and Japanese. He studies with Associate Professor of Piano Alvin Chow.

Although neither of Scott's parents play instruments, they are enthusiastic classical music lovers, and they tell him he was "born with music." His paternal grandmother was a flutist, and his mother's sister is a piano teacher in Japan. Scott began piano studies at the age of six.

From the time he was 8 until he turned 18, Scott studied with Ms. Carole Pollard. "She accompanied me, taught me theory — everything," says Scott.

A Conversation with Scott Meek:

What inspired you to be a musician?
I started playing piano at age six because my older brother was taking lessons. I don't remember if it was because I wanted to or because my parents wanted me to. I remember enjoying it. I also remember liking singing. I recorded myself a few times — pop songs. My parents told me a street musician, a guitar player, fascinated me. I liked what he was doing so much that he gave me a pick, which I still have.

What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
I don't really have discouraging days. I'm really lucky. The only reason I don't practice is if I'm tired, in which case I'll go home and do something else. I guess I used to get frustrated, but not anymore. My teacher is a big factor; heís very positive and encouraging. He always says things to make me want to work harder. I keep myself busy and am always preparing for a recital or competition. I try to aim for something new every month.

What is the most memorable performance you have seen and why?
I see so many concerts, but there were two recent ones that I know I'll remember. The first was a very moving performance by Angela Hewitt of the Bach Goldberg Variations at the Michigan Gilmore Festival. There are 30 variations in the work, which lasts more than an hour without any breaks. At the end, I was very moved, more than I can remember being in the past. There's such beauty in the harmony, and the beginning comes back. The second was in Finney Chapel in March, when I heard Portland Taiko, the Japanese drumming ensemble. It was my first full-length Taiko concert. I've heard bits before, and I've always been inspired by the rhythm. Finney is so resonant, too, so it was very intense and exciting.

If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be? What would you perform?
I don't know who I would want to perform with or what I would want to perform, but maybe just being present at certain concerts would have been as rewarding. I love Horowitz's live recording of Rachmaninov's Second Sonata, for example.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
Iíve always liked rhythm in music and always wanted a drum set. I used to look at one in a store, but never got it. I had one drum. My uncle has a drum set, and I used to visit him and play for hours.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose? What profession would you definitely NOT choose?
I'm into movies, so some kind of profession in the movie business. It wouldn't be acting — maybe editing or music. I also could do something with designing. I used to draw cities and maps. I definitely would not be in the medical profession. It's too risky a job, too stressful. A job has to be something I could enjoy.

What do you listen to for inspiration? In your free time?
I don't have much free time! My collection of CDs contains jazz, Bjork, and rap from the early 90s. I might say that's still my favorite non-classical music. I like the rhythm and the cleverness of the lyrics.

What do you like to read?
I like browsing books. First I go to the movie section — I like facts on movies. I don't generally read novels. For a class I recently read and enjoyed Japanese literature translated into English. But I have a huge appetite for movies. During summers and winters at home, I can watch up to 30 movies per month!

What are the three words that best describe you?
Hard-working, quiet, sincere.