A boy of the people

Thirteen-year-old Conrad Tao may be a virtuoso but in the end, he says, he's just a kid

"i saw his concert a few weeks ago...i got his autograph in pink!! ^_^"

"Dude I got his autograph and made short talk."

"HE COMING TO OUR SCHOOL, HA HA! I GET TO MEET HIM IN PERSON, SUCKERS! I bet you all jealous!...Im gonna shake his hand and im not gonna wash it never."

This adoration isn't directed toward the cast of "High School Musical" or Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers. These middle schoolers were posting about the YouTube video of 13-year-old concert pianist Conrad Tao.

"It was pretty fun reading the comments, (but) it's not really nearly as much as I wish it could be," says the teen in a phone interview from New York City. It was just three days after returning from a performance in Italy.

It's been 12 years since Conrad first pulled himself up on a piano bench at 18 months old and banged out "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

He doesn't remember that. In fact, his first recollection of performing was a recital at age 4. By the time he was 9, the Illinois-based family decided that for their youngest child to pursue his passion, the East Coast would offer more opportunities. That year, his mother secured a position on the Columbia University faculty. Conrad, his sister (now 18) and their parents moved to New York City.

These days, he studies in Juilliard's pre-college division, travels to Italy and Germany to perform and will play, for the first time, in his family's home country of China this summer. Although best known for his piano work, he also plays the violin and composes original works.

"It's very honorable, really, but it feels almost strange when you read other kids who are basically my age talk about me as if I'm someone different, not a kid at their age or grade level," he says. "Really, that's all I am. I just play music, too."

Perhaps a result of growing up in the adult-dominated world of classical music, Conrad exudes a level-headedness in conversation that belies his age. There is a physical intensity in his performances that projects maturity; yet his audible excitement as he talks about composing, life in New York City or his dislike of the business aspects of performing reminds you that this young man is still a teenager with an open and hopeful mind.

As Conrad has gotten older, traveling became a way of life for the family, and they stay together when possible for big trips — like Italy this past Christmas. But it's often Conrad and his mother, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Columbia, on the road for performances around the country — like the upcoming one at Naples United Church of Christ on Monday night.

Daily News: How have you adapted to a rigorous travel and performance schedule?

Conrad Tao: I really enjoy traveling, and it's begun to feel rather easy. Going to Italy, a lot of people would go crazy the night before packing. We just did it in a few hours. Traveling is becoming a little more the thing we have to do.

DN: When did your family move to New York?

Conrad: We moved to New York (from Illinois) when I was just turning 9.

DN: How do you like living there?

Conrad: I think it's terrific. It's so much fun. Me and my sister probably enjoy it much more than my parents. I certainly just love walking around in the city and going on the subway. I always take public transportation, never taxis. I just love it here. I would miss it if I had to stay away too long.

DN: You travel about twice a month to perform. How do you balance studying with that kind of schedule?

Conrad: I have tried, over the years, to have a balance between my musical and non-musical life. Of course, as I perform more, the balance tips a little bit. I'm home-schooled now. … It makes things easier, and it makes me feel less like I'm always missing school.

DN: Do you miss school?

Conrad: Not particularly. (The Professional Children's School) is a supportive atmosphere for busy kids. Everyone is going out and in of school and traveling a lot. But because of that, it's very difficult to form lasting friendships. The biggest change of home-schooling is not having as much of a social life, but it wasn't that big a transition.

DN: Is it difficult to stay motivated being home-schooled?

Conrad: There are definitely times when I don't necessarily want to work. ... I always try to make myself understand the benefits of it, and how important it is.

DN: Who are your role models, inside or outside of the musical world?

Conrad: Someone I really look up to and always strive to be what I view as honorable and good a person as is Yo-Yo Ma. Not only because he has such an incredible musicianship, but also because of his humanity and his kindness. It's always so genuine. I really respect his ability and his willingness to branch out into other fields that may not generally be associated with classical music.

DN: Have you met him?

Conrad: I've actually played in an orchestra with him, but I've never met him.

DN: Besides being a piano and violin soloist, you also compose. What role does this play in your life?

Conrad: For me, composing is actually my recreation, it's what I do in my free time when I'm not doing work, practicing, performing. I really get a lot of joy out of composing. It's a release.

DN: Where do you find your inspiration?

Conrad: I get inspiration from a variety of composers and musicians. I try to write with my own voice, but I get a lot of inspiration from composers of just about every style there is. I try to use these inspirations to form my compositions. I use a mixture because I haven't yet found my niche. I usually get one melody, one tune or one voice, and I just let it flow from there. Sometimes it pops up when you least expect it, often when I'm sleeping or when I'm practicing.

DN: Any composer in particular you find influences you most?

Conrad: For the last few years, I've been really drawn to Shostakovich. He's probably my biggest inspiration. At least now.

DN: Do you see your future in music?

Conrad: I always try to keep an open mind. I think that there is no doubt, right now, that music is the prominent thing for my future. But I don't think too much about the far-away future because I really have no idea what is going to happen. I just try to think about the next few years. That's really all I can control. If my interests drift, I'm not going to try to necessarily repress them.

DN: What are your goals for the next few years, then?

Conrad: To keep performing, and enjoying performing, working and playing. There are lots of people who stop playing after a few years of performing very actively, and I just don't want that to happen.

DN: Are you paid for your performances now or are you still racking up experience?

Conrad: I do (get paid) at this point. IMG (Artists) manages the finances, I do the performances. I don't usually think of (the money). I don't know if it's because I'm young (but) I don't worry about those small things. I mean, they're not small things, but I view them that way, at least now, because I try not to get tangled in the business side of it.

DN: Are you considering going to a traditional university?

Conrad: I've always thought about going to a university, not just a conservatory, because that way I can keep my interests open. I can keep my mind open. I've always wanted to keep the future open. I don't want to put myself onto a one-way street for fear that it could be a dead end.

DN: Any idea what you would study?

Conrad: If I had to choose now, I would probably lean towards journalism because English is my favorite school subject.

DN: How have your feelings about music evolved as you get older?

Conrad: I don't think the level of enjoyment has changed. If anything, I enjoy it more. (But) when I was younger, performing always felt a little more carefree. I'm growing more aware of things that can go wrong.