By Liu Meng

    BEIJING, Jan. 11 -- For Zhang Zimo, a 14-year-old marimba prodigy admitted to New York's Juilliard School pre-college program on full scholarship last May, percussion is a primal human experience.

Zhang Zimo plays marimba during his Beijing solo concert on December 29. (Photo Source: Globaltimes.cn) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Everything in the world has rhythm, our stride, our heartbeat. Every time I play, my heart races. And I know if I feel that way, I can make my audience feel it too."

    The young Beijing native did just that with his solo performance at the capital's Central Conservatory of Music (CCM) Attached Middle School on December 29, earning him explosive rounds of applause from the audience.

    On invitation from Shanxi University Academy of Music (SUAM), the concert served as a "thank you" to Zhang for donating a 70,000 yuan ($10,251) marimba he won at the First National Percussion Competition held in Shanxi Province on August 15. Zhang donated the instrument in hopes of inspiring more students to study the marimba.

    Young vibes

    Although not from a musical family, Zhang's talent surfaced as early as he could vocalize.

    "He would sing songs he had heard on TV," said his mother, Ren Jing.

    Recognizing his gift, Zhang's family sent him to study voice at a local primary school by age 6. Unfortunately due to improper training, he strained his voice, damaging it enough to end any plans for a singing career.

    Zhang originally set his sights on the drums, however the only available spots at the CCM percussion department that year were for marimba students. Not discouraged and eager for him to study music, Zhang's family quickly began searching for a marimba instructor to train him for an audition. Before long, his musical talent was recognized by former CCM marimba professor Zhao Ji.

    "Actually, I didn't expect for such a young child to be so musically aware. I observed how sensitive he was to his surroundings, how his sense of rhythm manifested even in his walk and how enthusiastic he was about music in general," explained Zhao. "Because a performer not only needs to appreciate music but communicate its beauty to the audience."