ST. LOUIS — There is a mystique to performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. St. Charles native Dominic Cheli felt it the first time he played piano there. But he was with three other musicians at that time. He knows it won't feel the same when he's a featured soloist March 12.
"Performing there as a quartet is very different from performing as a soloist, as a pure soloist where you spend two hours on stage, just you," said Cheli. "So this is my recital debut."
Cheli said the key is treating Carnegie Hall like any other concert, as difficult as that may sound.
"One of the things I was taught early on is that every performance matters, you know, whether you're playing in a retirement home for free or whether you're playing at Carnegie Hall," said Cheli. "I care about every performance equally. There’s a bit more prestige around this one, that's certainly true."
Cheli knew at 13 he was ready to get serious about music, which meant convincing his parents that a traditional high school experience was getting in the way of his dreams of being a concert pianist.
"Drop out of high school for a year and a half, take online classes for six months," said Cheli. "I got my GED and then shortly after that I actually went to New York City and went to college."
After New York, Cheli received a Master's degree at Yale University. He's currently continuing his piano studies in Los Angeles pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, while also performing all over the world.
Next stop, Carnegie Hall.
"As a measuring stick, it does mean a lot to be recognized and invited to Carnegie Hall. You feel like you've been noticed in a good way."