WILKES-BARRE — On March 20, Northeastern Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (NEPMTA) held a new event, Luzerne County’s Got Talent, at the F.M. Kirby Center. Twenty-five finalists competed for cash prizes and one of those finalists was Jimmy Curry.
“I decided to join this competition to perform in front of a live audience,” said Curry. “I truly enjoy playing for others. It had been a while since I played in front of a live audience.”
Curry, graduate from Crestwood High School and junior biochemistry major at East Stroudsburg University, has been playing the piano for about 10 years. He heard about Luzerne County’s Got Talent from his piano teacher and decided to audition.
His audition was an online performance of him playing Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” on the piano. This was the song he chose to perform at the competition too.
“It’s a quick and catchy piece,” said Curry.
Since a young age Curry gained an interest in piano at his elementary school, Fairview Elementary School. Then, he began taking additional piano lessons in fourth grade from piano instructor, Michele Millington, which he describes as “fantastic.”
“She is an extremely creative piano instructor,” said Curry. “She was very patient with her guidance. Her experience opened my entire world to the love of music. She prepared me for recitals and auditions. One of my greatest experience was playing at Carnegie Hall and she helped me every step of the way.”
Aside from playing the piano, Curry enjoys playing classical and rock music. He plays classical music mostly on the piano with his favorite being Frederic Chopin and he plays rock music on the guitar and drums.
“I actually learned to play the drums during COVID lockdown,” said Curry. “My college was online. We ordered drums online and the rest was history.”
Although Curry did not place in the top ranks to win cash prizes, he received compliments from all the judges and enjoyed his experience overall. If given the opportunity, he would participate in this competition again.
“I would tell all those interested in music if you get a chance, play,” said Curry. “This was such a fun experience to connect with others who have similar interests in the art.”
