Mother and son piano duo making music together for charity
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- There has always been a special bond between mothers and sons.
For Michelle and Christopher Kuo that bond is solidified on the keyboard of the piano. They are a remarkably talented two-piano combo on a mission to help make the world a better place by raising funds for charitable organizations through their musical concerts.
As they hit the ivories in their Manhattan apartment, you can tell the love is in their hearts and their music. Mother and son Michelle and Christopher Kuo, a dynamic piano duo, are on a classical journey to uplift the spirit of audiences and raise money for charities.
Their relationship and their talent are magical. With a glowing smile, Christopher beams, “There’s a lot of magic between us. We’re performing together, and we’re having so much fun together every time we do a concert.” Michelle chimes in, “Mother and son very rarely work together. I am very lucky and so grateful. Thank you,” as she turns to her son with a tap on the shoulder.
At the keyboard, the music bellows throughout the apartment. Michelle notes, “Although I was his teacher, I never treated him like a student. We work as a team.”
Christopher was nurtured on the piano at the age of four and was captivated by the music it produced after attending a recital of his mother’s at Carnegie Hall when he was seven.
He remembers, “I was just enthralled and astonished by the music she was playing.”
But Mom put the music on mute, giving up an accomplished career to be a mother to Christopher and his older brother.
Eight years ago, Christopher gave his mom an opportunity to resume her musical dream by creating what they call the “Two Piano Journey,” which enables them to perform concerts with all proceeds going to charitable causes. Michelle explains, “We’re very passionate about what we do, and we hope everyone can help us raise more funds to help people who need it.”
Christopher adds, “A lot of the work we do centers around non-profits that serve children.”
Christopher, who works full-time in financial services, schedules concerts on weekends and other times he’s off the job. To date, the “Two Piano Journey” has raised two and a quarter million dollars. But this dynamic couple wants more. “Our goal now is to raise $5 million which is five times our original goal,” bellows Christopher. His mom quickly adds, “We do our best to help the world be a better place.”
And the reward for these mother and son piano philanthropists is not only the money they raise, but the chance to be bound by the joy of playing beautiful music.
Michelle observes, “People say we’re not looking at each other when we are in concert, but we are musical together. We feel the same simpatico and the same love we have for music.”
Looking at his mother, Christopher’s eyes light up as he declares, “How cool is it that I can play such pretty music with my mom.” And Mom is just as grateful. “We are blessed,” she says. We are thankful.” She embraces her arms as she declares, “I have goosebumps.”
Music of the heart from a mother bursting with pride to be sharing the concert stage with her son while sounding the right note to raise millions for charitable causes. Michell and Christopher Kuo expect to perform ten concerts this year, the next one being in Queens.
The CPC Queens Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month benefit will take place Wednesday evening, May 29th, at Terrace on The Park.