Jade Holt: Young Pianist
Twelve-year-old Jade Holt is a sixth grader at the University School, and a Division Finalist in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). That won her the honor of competing in the MTNA South Central Division Junior Piano Performance competition in January, where she took second place. Jade has competed in numerous local, state and national competitions, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Van Cliburn Hall, and was featured on NBC Los Angeles for a pilot program. Jade has accomplished much at a young age, so we wanted to learn more about her.
TK: How long have you been playing the piano, and who is your teacher?
Jade: I have been playing the piano since I was 5 years old. My teachers are Dr. Stuart Deaver at the University of Tulsa, as well as Professor Armen Babakhanian who lives in Malaysia.
TK: What are some of the competitions and performances you have participated in?
Jade: I have been in many competitions since I was 8 years old. Competitions are like testing laboratories to test how well I have been learning and practicing. I also see competitions as chances for performing and spreading the music.
Editor’s Note: Jade has competed in many competitions, including winning first place twice at the Charleston International Music Competition, first place in the American Protégé Music Talent Competition, Absolute First Prize in the 3rd Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition, among others. She was also the guest soloist for the Tulsa Youth Symphony’s 60th Anniversary concert.
TK: What other awards or recognitions have you received?
Jade: In May 2024, I was awarded the Crescendo Music Grant and the Bob Lengacher Award from the Tulsa Downtown Rotary Foundation. The scholarship helped me attend PianoTexas summer camp in Fort Worth, Texas. I made a lot of friends who also love classical piano, and I performed at the Van Cliburn Hall.
TK: Do you get nervous at competitions? If so, how do you calm yourself?
Jade: Yes, I do, I get nervous BEFORE competitions! But as soon as I start playing, I stop feeling nervous and just focus on the music. I also pretend my dog Marley is sitting next to me in the performance hall. That helps me feel calm because Marley always sits next to me when I practice at home.
TK: What do you enjoy the most about playing the piano? How much time do you spend practicing?
Jade: I love playing the piano because it makes me happy, and I am good at it. I like to think up funny stories about the pieces I play and guess what the composers thought about when they wrote it. I have been playing the piano since as early as I can remember. Being a pianist is part of how I see myself. I practice whenever and wherever I can because that’s the only way I can get better. On average, I put in around 20 hours each week, depending on how many other activities I have.
TK: What is the most difficult thing about playing the piano?
Jade: The most difficult thing about playing the piano is finding time to practice. To be a good pianist requires A LOT of practice time. There are SO many pieces I want to play, and I always feel like I don’t have enough time for them. Also, sometimes I am tired after school, and wish I could be more energetic in the evenings.
TK: Do you play other instruments?
Jade: I like playing with other instruments and learning about how they work, such as the ukulele and the recorder. But I don’t take lessons for them.
TK: What type of music do you enjoy playing and why? What did you play for your latest competition?
Jade: I like the classical era, such as Haydn and Mozart, because they are well structured, complex and expressive. It makes me feel very satisfied when I can finally play them well. I feel not many people know about classical music, and most stores outside play pop music. I want more people to know and listen to classical music because it is beautiful. The pieces I played for the latest competition are Joseph Haydn Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI:32, Felix Mendelssohn Rondo capriccioso, Op.14, and Claude Debussy Étude No. 11 Pour les Arpèges Composés.
TK: What future goals do you have regarding the piano?
Jade: I want to be the best I can be with piano. And I hope that someday I can play the piano as beautifully as my teachers do.
TK: What do you enjoy doing besides playing the piano?
Jade: I love to read, draw, play with my brother Jonah, and research all things about dogs.
TK: What are your favorite things to do or places to go in Tulsa?
Jade: I love my school, TU, and I also like to go to the Gathering Place, Woodward Park, Woodland Hills Mall and Paradise Beach Waterpark in summer. I also want to spend more time visiting animal shelters this year and find ways I could help those animals.
TK: What is a fun fact about you that maybe most people don’t know?
Jade: I am obsessed with dogs, and my favorite breed is the Labrador. I like to research on the different breeds and dog care. I love to read! I can listen to an audiobook and read another book at the same time.
Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.
