From surviving beginning issues to acting on world levels, Joshua August Mhoon‘s journey is nothing in need of extraordinary. A current graduate of The Juilliard Faculty and a outstanding pianist, Joshua has grown from a baby prodigy right into a world-class artist with function.
On this unique Star Studio interview with Isaiah Parrish for rolling out, the Chicago native opens up about his early challenges, life-shaping classes from Juilliard and his upcoming collaboration with piano legend Lang Lang.
May you inform us about what you needed to overcome health-wise earlier than you even sat down on the piano?
So I used to be what they name stillborn — I used to be born with out oxygen. I can’t say that I went via that, as a result of I’ve no recollection of it, however that did occur, and I used to be resuscitated. And now I’m right here.
You had been a prodigy. Did you perceive, at that age, the magnitude of the reward you possessed, or had been you simply having enjoyable doing one thing you liked?
No, undoubtedly didn’t perceive. Folks — not less than my mother and father — used to inform me, “You actually don’t acknowledge the reward that you’ve.” I believe nonetheless to today, it’s onerous for me to inform whether or not or not it’s a present.
Typically it’s bizarre being in my very own pores and skin and having individuals categorical how grateful they’re or how a lot they respect what I’ve completed after I don’t even know if I can take full duty for it. I imply, I put within the work, and that’s tremendous vital, however this entire concept of being a prodigy typically negates the work facet.
I suppose individuals used to say I used to be a prodigy and that I had a present, however I believe it was actually my mother and father who instilled the self-discipline to maintain creating that reward.
You talked in regards to the morals that your mother and father instilled in you. Out of these, what did you’re taking most significantly with you going into Juilliard?
I don’t know if I can pinpoint one factor. It’s been lower than a month since commencement, and I’ve simply been processing the previous 4 years. I’ve been fascinated with how appreciative I’m of how a lot my mother and father pushed and supported me.
However proper now, I’ve principally been reflecting on how a lot I’ve grown throughout these 4 years — musically and personally. So I don’t know if there’s one lesson that carried me during, however there’s been rather a lot to be taught.
Whenever you first received to Juilliard, you had this uncooked expertise. How did Juilliard mildew you from prodigy to skilled?
Man. I believe by the point I received to Juilliard, I used to be already outdoors of the prodigy window and into the skilled realm. I used to be performing rather a lot — typically greater than I did in faculty.
However it was the teachings I discovered from my associates, my finest associates and my lecturers — the non-public classes and the errors over these 4 years — that began educating me the way to develop. I’m nonetheless studying. I believe my objective now’s to carry out different components of myself and present individuals completely different sides of my persona.
What classes did you be taught whilst you had been there? What did you need to overcome?
It’s been plenty of ups and downs. I made errors, particularly in managing myself professionally. Earlier than you will have a supervisor or agent, you need to run your personal profession.
I missed some issues — like sending types or invoices — and I needed to be taught the enterprise facet of being an artist. That taught me to handle issues professionally, not simply musically.
Juilliard earned its status for a cause. My piano lecturers, Julian Martin and Emmanuel Ax, pushed me to a different degree. I don’t understand how they did it precisely — I simply adopted their lead, and I grew exponentially.
We had 4 years of music principle, which taught me the way to perceive and analyze what I used to be taking part in. I additionally took lessons that helped practice my ear, so I might choose up tunes by listening and replicate them.
I even dove into music historical past — not simply classical, however all music — and actually examined what music is and what it means. Juilliard additionally helped me notice that being an artist means being a citizen of the world.
My mission now entails utilizing my items to achieve, train and contact individuals. I don’t assume I’d’ve understood that with out Juilliard.
May you inform us about your magnum opus — one thing you’re most happy with, previous or upcoming?
I don’t prefer to deal with the previous. My entire philosophy is as soon as I end one thing, I transfer on to the subsequent. If it was nice, wonderful — however I’ve to maintain going. And if it sucked, identical factor — I transfer on.
I’m tremendous enthusiastic about what’s arising on the finish of June. I’m going to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a month to show and play piano with Lang Lang, probably the most well-known classical pianist on this planet.
I’ve by no means been to the Center East, and Saudi Arabia simply opened as much as tourism within the final 5 or 6 years. This chance wouldn’t have been doable with out every part Juilliard taught me.
That’s wonderful. Are there any challenges you’re presently working via or classes you’re nonetheless studying?
This yr taught me how a lot I can accomplish below stress. Within the final two weeks of faculty, I had 12 concert events. I mentioned sure to too many issues, and I discovered that I would like to guard my time.
As artists, we handle a lot, and every part takes power — bodily, psychological, emotional. In the event you unfold your self too skinny, your work suffers. I’m targeted on elevating my customary and never letting myself fall beneath it. That’s how I’ll develop and evolve.
Alright, a enjoyable one — what track do you presently have on repeat?
“Complete Reward” by Richard Smallwood. That’s been on repeat.
Do the songs you hearken to encourage your work, or do you create from scratch?
All the things evokes me. There’s a quote — “Good artists copy, nice artists steal.” I don’t take that actually, however inspiration is in all places.
I’m beginning to write music and just lately scored a brief movie referred to as A Woods Story, which must be out in February. Now I hearken to music in a different way — nearer, extra deliberately. I wish to infuse gospel and Black American music with my classical Juilliard coaching in my writing. That’s the place my coronary heart is true now.