Andy Taylor wrote: "The younger generation has little use for some-
thing challenging, like the finer arts."

For the most part he is right.  But I find plenty of work for my resto-
ration shop right now, even with this horrendous economy.  So piano is
still important to many households.

Here is one of the exceptions to that kids' apathy rule.  Check out
the videos of some flawless piano playing by a fifteen-year-old piano
prodigy, specializing in ragtime of all things, Max Keenlyside.  He has
composed numerous rags and improvises on things in ragtime, like "Oh
Canada" (he is Canadian).  He even got bored with the Maple Leaf Rag as
Scott Joplin did it.  So he improvised on it, and sort of rewrote it as
well.  His is an awesome talent that can only grow in the next few
decades.  He is a friend of MMD'er Bryan Cather, and it was Bryan who
told me of the kid's abilities.

Here are the YouTube links to Max's virtuoso playing:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/ragtimemax
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1TFnOpylfo (Maple Leaf)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxtBn-0yS0Q (his own composition)

He has a website of his own: http://www.maxkeenlyside.co.nr

There are several very young upcoming ragtimers; so don't give up on
the music just yet.

D.L. Bullock
www.dougbullock.ws