Grace Moore is not your average 12-year-old girl. She is a musical prodigy who has composed an original piece of classical music that was performed by one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, the New York Philharmonic.
Grace, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, started playing the piano when she was two years old, after her mother bought her one. She soon developed a knack for creating melodies and harmonies, and also learned to play the violin and sing in a choir.
Grace joined the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program, which teaches children as young as eight how to write music for different instruments and ensembles. The program also gives them the opportunity to hear their compositions played by professional musicians.
In October 2020, Grace’s piece, titled Summer, was premiered by members of the New York Philharmonic as part of their Bandwagon series, which brings music to public spaces across the city. Grace’s piece was inspired by the current events of the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
“I feel that music can change the way other people see the world around them,” Grace said in an interview with CBS News. “I haven’t really seen many people who look like me on stage. She was very excited about the fact that she could represent as a Black female composer and also such a young person,” her mother, Clara Stewart Moore, added.
Grace is not only a talented composer, but also a dedicated student. She attends Poly Prep Country Day School in Dyker Heights, where she excels in math and science. She hopes to pursue a career in music or engineering in the future.
Grace is an example of how music can empower young people to express themselves and make a positive impact on society. She is also a role model for other aspiring composers, especially girls and people of color, who may face barriers and stereotypes in the classical music world.
Grace’s achievement is part of the New York Philharmonic’s efforts to diversify its repertoire and audience by featuring more works by women and underrepresented groups. The orchestra is also commissioning 19 new pieces by women composers to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the US.
Besides composing for the New York Philharmonic, Grace has also worked with other orchestras, such as the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra and the InterSchool Orchestras of New York. She has also participated in various music festivals and competitions, such as the National PTA Reflections Program and the Kaufman Music Center’s Luna Composition Lab.
Grace Moore is a remarkable young woman who has made history with her music. She deserves to be celebrated for her creativity, courage and contribution to the cultural landscape of New York and beyond.
In other news, 12-year-old Nicholas Buamah went viral at the tender age of 8 when he appeared on the Steve Harvey Show and showcased his bestselling book. Since then, Nicholas has taken his love for writing books and channeled it into writing tv scripts. When the young author noticed that there weren’t any shows on television showcasing intellectual black children like himself, he created one. With the help of his mother Danielle, Nicholas hired a team of professional scriptwriters, producers, and a director, and began creating his family-friendly sitcom, Nick’s House.
Nick’s House is about a 10-year-old business-savvy kid who runs a successful business with his friends out of his parents’ home. Chaos ensues when his immature uncle, played by comedian Boogie B. Montrell, moves in to be his nanny. The show is not only funny, but it also alludes Black Excellence throughout.
Nicholas has taken on the roles of creator, executive producer, and star of the show. He says he’s very proud of how the overall production turned out, but he has to give credit to the team of professionals who helped him create such an iconic show.
These are great kids changing the narratives and making positive impact. They truly deserve to be celebrated.
