The talent of American classical pianist Joshua Mhoon was discovered at age 7. But it was Joshua’s birth that was the true miracle of discovery. According to his father, Jun Mhoon, Joshua flat-lined in utero after being deprived of oxygen for more than 25 minutes. Doctors declared him brain dead and said that if he survived, he would have significant learning difficulties. But that was not to be. Joshua was reading by the time he went to kindergarten and was admitted to the high IQ organization MENSA when he was 12.
But it is the power of music that reached into baby Joshua. Mhoon can’t remember the exact event that made him fall in love with music. Perhaps it was the classical music that his mother played every day while she was pregnant. Joshua began playing the piano and by age 7, dedicated himself to the instrument. He advanced rapidly, leading him to win a number of first place prizes in piano competitions. In October 2024 Joshua was the featured pianist at the Gateways Music Festival in Rochester, New York.
Growing up in Chicago, Joshua was well-versed in the Black American music culture of R&B, jazz, hip hop and gospel. But classical music is where Joshua shines, opening up opportunities to perform with such greats as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Lang Lan and clarinetist Anthony McGill.
Mhoon’s performing has temporarily moved to the back burner while he pursues his Master’s degree from the famed Julliard School. He is excited to mature as a pianist, but also wants to explore composition, working with dancers and singers, and getting as much out of his collegiate experience as possible.
WXXI Classical promotes and supports inclusion for musicians of all abilities through programming and special events. WXXI’s Move to Include Initiative is made possible by a generous grant from the Golisano Foundation.
Music: Margaret Bonds: Troubled Water (Oct 2024 GMF)