Most Recent NVRS Performance : Sunday, July 21, 2002 Adam Yarian is 16 years old (as of this recent performance date), and will be a Junior in the Science and Technology program at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt Maryland.
His piano study began at age 9, and in just 7 years of piano study, he has won 1st place in 9 classical music competitions, and 5 ragtime competitions. In 1998, 1999, and again in 2000, Adam was crowned the “Jr. World Old Time Piano Playing Champion.” In 2001 at age 15 he competed in the adult division (age 19 and older) of the World Old Time Piano Playing Contest. He is the youngest ever to compete in the adult division of this competition and demonstrated his mastery of this musical style by placing 3rd. In 2002 he again competed in the adult division and placed 5th.
In addition to the numerous competitions, Adam has also had the opportunity to perform in the “Legendary Instruments of the Immortals Tour,” an event sponsored in Oct. 1998 by Steinway and Sons. Adam is also a member of the Federal Focus Jazz Band (a New Orleans Style Jazz Band sponsored by the Potomac River Jazz Club). At age 12 he became the youngest member ever to join the band, and by age 14 he had performed with the band in Preservation Hall (New Orleans) on two occasions. Adam’s debut as a solo performer and featured artist was at the May 2001 Takoma Park JazzFest. He also has produced a CD that includes 14 Ragtime tunes from such musical greats as Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake.