Berkeley Youth Noted for Music Compositions

When he was three weeks old, Dylan Mattingly had his first taste of music at his older brother's violin lessons. His mother brought him along every Monday, and Dylan was forced to listen as his brother practiced.

By age five, he was hooked. By age six, Dylan had learned how to play the piano and the cello-instruments that dwarfed the young child.

And by age seven, Dylan began composing his own music.

"I can't imagine my life without music," the 12-year-old Berkeley resident says with a smile, revealing his silver braces.

Dylan is one of several East bay youth that have been recognized for their musical talent-the list also includes Berkeley residents Preben Antonsen and Keith Doelling.

To make time for piano and cello lessons, practices and composition sessions, Dylan starts his day at 6:45 a.m. He plays the electric guitar in the school band and cello in the orchestra, along with performing in the Berkeley Youth Orchestra. But Dylan's immense commitment to music does not rule out time for other hobbies, such as playing baseball and watercolor painting.

Despite his age, the curly-haired adolescent has already accomplished great feats.

His work has already been played by more than 100 musicians combined in the Berkeley Youth Orchestra and Young Peoples' Chamber Orchestra.

"It was one of those moments where it's sort of like a wedding," says his mother, Lucy. "You're in a complete daze and you're trying desperately to hold onto the moment, because you want to remember everything and you desperately want to experience it all."

Twelve-year-old Preben's latest achievement is a finalist award at the Oakland East Bay Symphony competition, where he played a concerto piece in an age group that ranged from 10- to 16-year-olds.

But creating music conveys different meaning for the young composers. For Preben, it illuminates the imagination.

At age four, Preben began to make up pieces on the piano in the context of a fantasy world he created. He and his older sister dressed up and acted out stories to go along with music he composed.

Others, like 14-year-old Keith, who plays the piano and string bass, say music defines their identity.

"When people think of me, they think of ‘Keith the music player,'" Keith says. "It's an outlet from daily life."

But these three young composers could not have followed through with their musical pursuits without tremendous support from their parents.

Finding a suitable teacher, an appropriate school to nourish their talents and funds to hone their skills is a challenge, said Dylan's mother, Lucy.

Dylan's parents have invested money in private schools and lessons, and are currently looking into scholarships to aid with funding, Dylan's mother said.

Some professional musicians say that composing at a young age is not an uncommon feat, but what is more important is whether young people will be able to sustain their talent in a career.

"It takes a long time for a composer to discover who he or she actually is," says John Thow, a UC Berkeley professor of composition, who started composing music since he was eight years old. "When you get a prize when you're 12 or 14 does that tell you who you are?"

Thow says it's a hostile environment for contemporary music and composition in the United States because this is not a society that fosters artistic and creative endeavors.

The three young composers have not yet settled on a future career.

Keith is uncertain whether he will be a professional composer or musician when he grows up, but one thing is certain: "I know music will definitely be a hobby that I'll continue throughout my life, because I love to do it so much."

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