Watch: Pianist Simon Su Plays Chopin’s Ballade No. 3

<p>(Photo: CPR)</p>

Su’s paunchiest recent accomplishments include an invitation to play with the Colorado Symphony last fall, several blue ribbons he won at piano competitions across China, and in 2014, a coveted invitation to study under Dr. Larry Graham, an esteemed professor and instructor at the University of Colorado in Boulder. A former student of Graham’s is from Su’s hometown in China and referred the wunderkind to the local instructor.

Every aspect of Su’s life has been tailored to hone his skills on the piano. Principally, he’s enrolled at Accelerated Schools, a private institution for gifted and talented students in Denver where he’s able to spend much of his time practicing and perfecting pieces by Frederic Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn and select other composers.

“Approximately 39 hours per week, usually five hours per day and on Sunday I can practice more,” Su says of his typical practice schedule.