The Most Talented Kids On The Upper West Side

By Beth Mellow

Ramin Abrams, a 17-year-old Upper West Sider, looks forward to the early mornings, when he can drive out to Long Island to surf. It’s the challenge as well as the soothing sound of the ocean that originally attracted him to surfing, but it’s how easily it fits into his busy schedule that has allowed him to continue with the sport.

“It’s great because you can do it early. I wake up at 5:30 a.m., head out to the beach and am back by 9 a.m.,” said the Professional Children’s School senior.

While Abrams enjoys the beach music created by the crash of the waves, his true passion is the music he creates as a double bassist. Studying in the Juilliard pre-college music program with Eugene Levinson, a principal double bassist for the New York Philharmonic, and performing with contemporary music group Face the Music does not leave a lot of time for extracurricular activities.

Prior to studying at Juilliard, when Abrams attended public school, he was a member of the track team and was ranked the No. 1 pole vaulter in Manhattan in both his freshman and sophomore years. However, he ultimately chose music over track & field. He explained, “Practicing is essential. I have to get in four hours a day.”

All along the Upper West Side, there are extraordinary kids like Abrams who are willing to manage a seemingly daunting work and practice schedule to pursue their dreams. Demonstrating maturity and focus beyond their years, they are honing their skill sets while their peers are shopping, playing video games or hanging out with friends. In fact, they work hard every day to make their dreams reality.

Some students, like Abrams’ classmate at Juilliard and the Professional Children’s School Pei-Wen Liao, have relocated from around the world to study in New York City. Seventeen-year-old Liao, a violinist from Taiwan, said, “I came to the states when I was 10 because I got into the Juilliard program. I thought I would try it for two months but ended up staying here for seven years.”

Liao, who goes back to Taiwan once a year to see family, has performed throughout the United States, Asia and Russia and has played at Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. When she graduates from Professional Children’s School, she plans on staying in the United States to continue her academic studies and musical training.

Another student in the pre-college division of Juilliard, Pablo Esquivel, relocated with his family from Costa Rica to study here. Esquivel is a remarkably talented 12-year-old pianist who has played concerts in Costa Rica and the United States, with the proceeds benefiting local children’s hospitals.

“I want to help people with my music,” the shy sixth grader said.

His mother, Oresta Noel, said the family’s move to the Upper West Side has been well worth it—not only for Esquivel but for the whole family. Two of Esquivel’s three brothers are also pursuing the performing arts, with one of them studying at Alvin Ailey Dance School and the other focusing on drumming as part of the School of Rock program.

“We like the idea of cultural exposure in New York City,” Noel said.

Cultural exposure and opportunity are also what brought Dario Natarelli, 13, and his mother to the Upper West Side. The Colorado native studies at the Broadway Workshop.

“Where I used to live they didn’t have a lot of acting or singing classes,” he said.

Since arriving in New York, he has tap danced at B.B. King’s, appeared in a Time Warner Cable commercial and was part of the Radio City Music Hall Spectacular tour. Although he loves New York City and the opportunities it has afforded him, he still has a strong attachment to where he was born.

“I still stay in touch with friends in Colorado and try to visit them often,” he said.

Unlike Naterelli, Lina Silver, who studies at the Broadway Workshop, has lived on the Upper West Side her entire life. The 13-year-old, who sings, acts and dances, boasts an extensive resume. She’s performed at Lincoln Center in Happiness, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare in the Park and was a backup dancer in a Beyoncé video.

She confessed that her passion for performing can get on her brother’s nerves, “My brother gets mad at me for singing and dancing around the house,” she said.

Watching her daughter’s constant living room curtain calls, Silver’s mother Roseanne realized that there was a need to provide focus for her talent.

“My husband was hesitant to pursue this path, but it became apparent that we had to funnel her energy,” she said.

Although some parents feel ambivalent about how much their talented youngster should take on, others believe it’s worthwhile to help their kids hone their skills, whether or not they pursue a professional career. Derek Brown, a competitive tennis player in his youth, has encouraged his young son to pursue the sport as well.

“Having a passion for any activity is good for a kid. It teaches them how to win, how to lose, and it builds self esteem,” Brown said.

Already, 8-year-old Coby Brown, who trains at Manhattan Tennis Academy, is winning matches against kids who are four or five years older than him.

“I want to be good at tennis,” the boisterous boy said. “I also want to be a mathematician. It’s my favorite activity at school.”

While Brown is just starting on the path to professional tennis player, 13-year-old Aleksander Kovacevic is well on his way. He has been playing for eight years and is part of the USTA Eastern National Tournament League 14 and under. Last year he won the boys 12 and under sectionals, and he has placed second in a few national tournaments.

Kovacevic, who trains at the prestigious John McEnroe Tennis Academy at SPORTIME Randall’s Island, explains that unlike Brown, neither of his parents played tennis, although both had been professional athletes.

“My mom and dad played competitive ping-pong,” he said. “My dad did it in Serbia and Bosnia and my mom competed in Italy, Spain and Yugoslavia.”

The teen, who balances practice four days a week with full-time school work, feels that his demanding schedule is well worth it.

“I try to be the best I can and maybe one day I can play professionally and be No. 1 in the world,” he said.

Jessica Golovin, a 14-year-old tennis player who also trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, practices mornings and afternoons, with home schooling in between. She plays in the USTA’s 16 and under division.

“I’m very competitive,” she said. “I like the sport a lot. I like winning—it’s very fun for me.”

The thrill of competition also drives 11-year-old gymnast Alexandra Chau. The sixth grader, who has trained at Chelsea Piers for the past four years, said “I love to compete because I love to challenge myself.”

In fact, the precocious preteen is already a Level 8 in gymnastics—Level 10 is the highest. She won first place in the all-around competition for Levels 4 and 5 and was so good that she skipped Level 6. Practice is intense, lasting four hours a day, and competitions take her across the country. There are never breaks in the summer, as those months are spent in preparation for the next level.

Despite her success and optimism, she understands that there may be limits to what she is able to achieve.

“It would be really fun to do the Olympics, but I would also be happy doing college gymnastics,” Chau said.

Chau’s balanced view of what the future may bring is also shared by 16-year-old Professional Children’s School student Paulina Gerzon. She’s worked as an actress since she was 3 years old, with roles on The Sopranos, Law & Order, and All My Children. For two seasons she also had a recurring role on The Good Wife.

She realizes that she is fortunate to be successful.

“I’ve gotten to do so many things other 16-year-olds don’t get to do, like go to the Emmys and walk down the red carpet,” she said. “You never know. I’ve seen a lot of other people who are amazing, but their careers go nowhere. I’ve seen kids who have starred in major feature films and then did nothing. To a certain extent, it’s also a game of luck.”

Know a talented
Upper WEST Side kid?
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ahouston@manhattanmedia.com.