Sophomore Edie Park first saw a piano in her day care center at 4 years old and fell in love. She began to play in five-minute lessons, with her music teacher at school, but it just wasn’t enough. When her family got an electric keyboard, Edie couldn’t stop playing.
As a neurodivergent person, Edie didn’t speak much at a young age. Instead, she expressed herself through the keys of the piano, beginning her journey to become the award-winning musician who plays today in orchestras around the world.
Since elementary school, Edie has practiced four to five hours a day. Eventually, she started to play in competitions and at events.
Edie has won various international accolades such as First Prize in the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition, and second place in the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition. And these are only a few of the many prestigious awards she has won.
She has been invited to perform at famous venues such as Carnegie Hall, Beethoven Haus, and Royal Albert Hall. She debuted at the Northeastern Illinois University Orchestra in October after she won the 2024 Chicago Chamber Music Festival Concerto Competition.
Edie’s teachers were a driving force in getting her to this level. One of her most influential teachers, Christina Tio, continues to inspire her. Dr. Tio “[made] her studio feel like one big community,” Edie said. Her teachers’ influence on her continuously expands her perspective on the instrument.
As her piano playing and performing skills evolved, Edie became a pillar of creative influence to other students at Latin who play instruments.
Sophomore Jonah Kaufman said, “She has a lot of strength and clarity when she plays. You can hear all the notes in the piece she performs, which is not as easy as it sounds.” Jonah describes Edie as having an elevated persona when it comes to playing the piano. “Her skills and technique are great—she’s a great example for incoming piano players,” he said.
From playing in orchestras and competitions to even impromptu performances at airports, Edie transports the people around her through her piano playing.
As Edie got older, she had to balance playing her piano with the demands of school. She maintains a routine that revolves around making the time to practice. “I practice after school and do most of my homework during my free periods and in the morning,” she said.
Michelle Lee, Edie’s mom, believes piano has helped her academics. “It’s just a discipline she learned,” Ms. Lee said. “She naturally learned through the musical journey. I guess that is helping her academically.”
The skills Edie learned from balancing school with other activities have not only helped her in the classroom but have also aided her personal growth. “When I get tired or unmotivated I push myself to complete what I am doing. So that’s something I’ve applied, you know, in other stuff as well” Edie said.
Video: Edie Park plays piano for travelers at Chicago’s O’Hare airport on November 9 (Charlie Gofen)
Edie continues to view the world through a neurodivergent lens and tries to be an influence on others who experience neurodivergence.
Now, Edie works hard to create opportunities for kids who are in the same situation that she experienced by giving piano lessons to kids who might not otherwise have access to them. “It’s a rewarding experience to share music with kids who might not have access to it otherwise and to create a space where they experience the joy of learning an instrument and explore their potential,” Edie said.
Edie is also a Co-Founder and Director of Community Outreach at a nonprofit organization called Musicians for Hope. Through her work advocating for kids who cannot advocate for themselves, Edie has expanded her empathetic mindset by building a community that can cope through connection.
“Kids out there who are neurotypical or who are different from other kids want to be inspired by Edie,” Ms. Lee said.
Many kids deal with neurodivergence from a young age, and the lack of representation does not provide a space for many kids to express themselves. The difficulties some kids endure are challenging, Ms. Lee added, “but it always comes with a strength.”
Edie has pushed herself when it comes to piano, and along with her academics and varied interests, she has surpassed all expectations of her mentors and parents. “It’s not only about her achievements, but it can expand to inspire other kids,” Ms. Lee said.
Edie has worked hard to establish her creative outlet. She said, “Despite the everyday obstacles I face stemming from my neurological conditions, my resilience and passion for learning and sharing music have carried me through and enabled me to accomplish more than I thought was possible in my musical journey.”
