John Kluge - 2/28/08
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: February 28, 2008
If you want to know John Kluge, just listen to him play the cello. John pours his feelings into the cello. He's been playing for 12 years. "My whole family is involved in music," says John. "My mom is a music teacher, my sister plays the violin, my brother plays the bass. We're a big musical family and I think that influenced my a lot." John is a senior at Penfield High School, where he plays in everything from orchestra, to the string quartet, and the jazz ensemble. He also plays in the Hochstein Youth Symphony, and won the prestigious Eastman Award. He's been a devoted musician ever since he picked the cello up in first grade.
"Originally I liked it because you got to sit down while playing the cello! But I really fell in love with the deep rich sound of it too."
Music teacher Caroline Clearwater says John sets a high standard for himself. "The level of musicianship and how it's not just a piece to him," she says. "He just really gets into the technical aspect of it and he perfects that and takes it to the next musical level of expression."
John plans on studying music and education in college. He already teaches younger students. "I just love music and I don't think I can imagine doing anything else in my life." John's a great performer, ready for great things!
