Joel Goodfellow says he’s not sure yet if he wants to be a full-time professional pianist but he will take a big step in that direction when he joins the Okanagan Symphony for three performances 
of Magnificent Mozart next week.More used to performing as a soloist, the 17-year-old Goodfellow said he is excited about the opportunity to play with a full orchestra – but a little nervous. He will be playing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.“They asked me in the summer if I could play with them,” he said. “I’ve heard so many good things about playing with an orchestra.”Goodfellow was recruited into the orchestra to replace a pianist who had left to take a scholarship in England. The symphony’s music director had seen him play at a gala in Kelowna and had heard of him through word of mouth.“I’m probably one of their younger soloists,” he said. Although he loved playing piano from the age of seven, Goodfellow said it wasn’t until he found the right teacher that he felt he could perform at a high level. About seven years ago, he started playing under the tutelage of Lucy Feldman, a Russian-born musician he describes as a world-class pianist.“I have a very good teacher who demands excellence,” he said. “After learning from her I decided I could perform at that level.”
Goodfellow now performs regularly in concerts and festivals while trying to complete his high school. He said he is home schooled which allows him enough flexibility for his performances.The performances are mere days away, but Goodfellow said he has yet to meet or practice with the symphony. He said there will be a single practice before the dress rehearsal.“I have been working on the piece,” he said. “I like Mozart in general but a lot more since I started playing; his melodies seem so simple but they’re so deep, so full of emotion.”Goodfellow said he would love to continue playing with the symphony but he hasn’t heard whether or not he will be called on for any future performances. “That’s up to them – but I’d like to,” he said.The Okanagan Symphony will be performing on Oct. 27 in Kelowna, Oct. 28 at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre and on Oct. 29 in Penticton. Tickets for the Vernon show are available by calling 549-7460. Tickets are $34 and discounts are available for students and seniors.
of Magnificent Mozart next week.More used to performing as a soloist, the 17-year-old Goodfellow said he is excited about the opportunity to play with a full orchestra – but a little nervous. He will be playing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.“They asked me in the summer if I could play with them,” he said. “I’ve heard so many good things about playing with an orchestra.”Goodfellow was recruited into the orchestra to replace a pianist who had left to take a scholarship in England. The symphony’s music director had seen him play at a gala in Kelowna and had heard of him through word of mouth.“I’m probably one of their younger soloists,” he said. Although he loved playing piano from the age of seven, Goodfellow said it wasn’t until he found the right teacher that he felt he could perform at a high level. About seven years ago, he started playing under the tutelage of Lucy Feldman, a Russian-born musician he describes as a world-class pianist.“I have a very good teacher who demands excellence,” he said. “After learning from her I decided I could perform at that level.”
Goodfellow now performs regularly in concerts and festivals while trying to complete his high school. He said he is home schooled which allows him enough flexibility for his performances.The performances are mere days away, but Goodfellow said he has yet to meet or practice with the symphony. He said there will be a single practice before the dress rehearsal.“I have been working on the piece,” he said. “I like Mozart in general but a lot more since I started playing; his melodies seem so simple but they’re so deep, so full of emotion.”Goodfellow said he would love to continue playing with the symphony but he hasn’t heard whether or not he will be called on for any future performances. “That’s up to them – but I’d like to,” he said.The Okanagan Symphony will be performing on Oct. 27 in Kelowna, Oct. 28 at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre and on Oct. 29 in Penticton. Tickets for the Vernon show are available by calling 549-7460. Tickets are $34 and discounts are available for students and seniors.
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