4 minute read
Cherishing The Language of Music
MUSICOF CHERISHING LANGUAGETHE by Leena Duwadi | photos courtesy of Lancine Aday
Music didn’t interest Carson Aday growing up. Joining the middle school choir was his worst nightmare, and he often found piano performances boring. However, life took a turn when he turned 14.
In 2017, he realized that one of his friends had a spiritual gift that he found fascinating. That night, innocent Carson prayed for a spiritual gift similar to his friend’s but was not expecting God to answer in the way he did! Coincidentally, just a day earlier, his dad had bought a small electric Samick mini grand piano just for fun and put it up for the kids to play around on. Carson surprised his parents the next morning when he watched a YouTube video on how to play Beethoven’s Für Elise – then sat down and played. That was how he started off his journey to become a rising star in the music industry.
“God answered Carson in a way he least expected. One day music meant nothing to him, and the next day it was his world. It was literally overnight,” his mom Lancine shared.
Fast forward to today, Carson, 19, plays piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and drums. He also sings, composes, and writes music. He’s written and released 18 songs with an Indie Rock band named Taking Jupiter and has recorded nine songs for his soon-to-be-released album. His compositions are on Spotify, Apple Music,
Amazon, YouTube, etc., with over 10,000 monthly listeners.
“My dream is to be a successful songwriter and performer. I’d love to tour and write music for a living. I’m wholeheartedly pursuing music in hopes of succeeding!” Carson said.
Three months into his piano lessons, Carson participated in the Dallas Steinway Piano Competition. After one year of piano lessons, Carson went to Carmel
Clavier International Piano Competition in Carmel, Indiana. The other kids in his division had been playing since they were 3. It was a very heavy competition, where he placed 3rd.
“Seeing Carson on stage is an absolute thrill! He is very driven and focused on his musical career, and we are extremely proud!” Lancine said.
Carson attends Dallas Baptist University, where he is majoring in piano performance. He studies under a very experienced and well-renowned professor, Dr.Beth Quillian. He has also studied under Wes Dziedzic, Dr. Jamila Javadova-Spitzburg, and Ruusamari Teppo. Carson has also studied vocal performance under Dr. Mark Rohwer, Dr. Stan Warren, and Dr. Stephen Holcomb.
Carson is the first person in the family to choose music, and his parents have done everything to support him in this journey.
“First, we got him into piano lessons as soon as we realized he had a gift. Then we encouraged him along the way,” Lancine mentioned. “There were times that it got complicated, and we realized this wasn’t a hobby anymore. Eventually, we built a music studio by repurposing part of our attic and making it part of the upstairs. Then, we filled it
“SEEING CARSON ON STAGE IS AN ABSOLUTE THRILL! HE IS VERY DRIVEN AND FOCUSED ON HIS MUSICAL CAREER, AND WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD!”
“TO ME, MUSIC AND LIFE HAVE BECOME INSEPARABLE.”
with all the instruments he could ever need.”
Carson also owns a music school, Jupiter Studios, which he started a little two years ago. Initially, it was just him teaching beginner students; then, it began to grow. Now, together with his employees, they teach guitar and piano to over 30 beginner and intermediate students.
Carson says pain, confusion, and regret often fuel his songwriting, though he has also often written from beauty, love, comfort, and longing.
What does music mean to him? The question might sound simple and obvious, but Carson finds it challenging to express in words his devotion to music like most artists. “To me, music and life have become inseparable. From grooving with the tempo of my car blinker to harmonizing with my toothbrush, music fills everyday life,” he remarked. “Songwriting is therapeutic and vulnerable, performing is exhilarating. Playing my favorite 200-yearold pieces is the most emotional and freeing experience of all. It’s difficult to give music an overarching meaning.”
Being honest and truthful, he shared with us the challenges he faces at times. “I struggle with anxiety for my future. I know how difficult this industry is, and I’ve seen many talented people fall short of their dreams. I have to constantly remind myself where my hope and confidence is found, which is Christ, and not my own gifts,” he said.
