Arjun Ayyangar
Encyclopedia
Arjun Ayyangar is an American
pianist and child prodigy from New Jersey
. Ayyangar was recognized by the Limca Book of Records
and Ripley's Believe It or Not for his ability to play all United Nations
recognized national anthems. In 2003, he appeared on NBC
's America's Most Talented Kid
, performing Fur Elise
and the theme song to Star Wars
. He is also the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for Empower the Children.
In June 2003, Ayyangar won a first place High Honors Award Certificate at the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Artists' Competition. In 2004, he performed at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
in Philadelphia and The War Memorial Auditorium in Trenton. Later that year, he was featured on Animal Planet
's Most Extreme: Tough Babies. In 2005, he performed during halftime at a New York Knicks
basketball game.
Ayyangar was inducted into The Kids Hall of Fame at age 6.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pianist and child prodigy from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Ayyangar was recognized by the Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
and Ripley's Believe It or Not for his ability to play all United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
recognized national anthems. In 2003, he appeared on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's America's Most Talented Kid
America's Most Talented Kid
America's Most Talented Kid was an American television series that originally aired on NBC on March 28, 2003. In each round, three age groups...
, performing Fur Elise
Für Elise
Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor for solo piano, commonly known as "Für Elise" , is one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most popular compositions. It is usually classified as a bagatelle, but it is also sometimes referred to as an Albumblatt.- History :The score was not published until 1867, 40 years after...
and the theme song to Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
. He is also the youngest Goodwill Ambassador for Empower the Children.
In June 2003, Ayyangar won a first place High Honors Award Certificate at the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Artists' Competition. In 2004, he performed at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a large performing arts venue located on Broad Street, along the stretch known as the "Avenue of the Arts", in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is owned and operated by Kimmel Center, Inc., an organization which also manages the Academy of Music in...
in Philadelphia and The War Memorial Auditorium in Trenton. Later that year, he was featured on Animal Planet
Animal Planet
Animal Planet is an American cable tv specialty channel that launched on October 1, 1996. It is distributed by Discovery Communications. A high-definition simulcast of the channel launched on September 1, 2007.-History:...
's Most Extreme: Tough Babies. In 2005, he performed during halftime at a New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
basketball game.
Ayyangar was inducted into The Kids Hall of Fame at age 6.
Awards
- November 20, 2002, Third Place in Young Pianists Performance in New Jersey Musical Teachers Association
- April 4, 2003, Semi-finalist, America's Most Talented Kid in NBC
- April 10, 2003, High Honors, in Young Pianists Performance New Jersey Musical Teachers Association
- May 31, 2003, SANO IMF Scholarship, in The 18th International Music Festival
- May 31, 2004, Winner - Piano in American Fine Arts Festival, Merkin Concert Hall, New York City, New York
- January 19, 2005, Inductee to The Kids Hall of Fame
News Coverage
- Boy, 3, gives first piano recital at Old Bridge library: Suburban News
- Concerto at 4: India Abroad
- Young pianist featured at festival: Tri-Town News
- What Were You Playing at Age 5? Probably Not a Bach Minuet in G: The Reporter, Four Corners, Florida
- Fame child's play for Arjun:The India Abroad
