Still reeling from Sunday night’s Academy Awards frenzy, we highlight another talented, yet lesser known star, Brianna Perez of Joe’s Violin. The Oscar-nominated film about a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor not only introduced us to a classical wunderkind, it also served as the vehicle through which the teen violinist experienced a life-altering encounter with a music benefactor. Get acquainted with Perez, and hit the flip up top. After, feel free to watch Kahane Cooperman’s award-winning short documentary below.
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The Boogie Down
Image Credit: Getty Images Although Brianna Perez attends a performing arts high school in Manhattan, she’s a proud Bronxite.
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Caribbean Roots
Image Credit: Getty Images Her family hails from the Dominican Republic.
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Hardworking Fairy
Image Credit: Getty Images As a child, she was inamored with Tinkerbell. “She’s like an independent, hard-working fairy,” she told Remezcla. “And she was chosen for something special. And I was chosen for something special too.”
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Wonder Years
Image Credit: Getty Images Brianna was just 12 when she starred in the Oscar-nominated film about the Holocaust, Joe’s Violin. When she slayed the red carpet at this year’s Academy Awards, she was a mere 14. Talk about a wunderkind.
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Each One, Teach One
Image Credit: Oscars Bianna wants to teach—specifically, music. And she wants to teach it in hopes of showing the youth how investing in the art of it can keep them from making some bad choices. “That there are ways you can express yourself and have other people admire you while enjoying what you do. I want to teach kids that music will always be a part of them,” she said. “That it’s important.”
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Music A Saving Grace
Image Credit: Oscars Like plenty of bonfide musicians, Brianna sought solace from her stringed instrument during her most vulnerable and lonely times. “The violin was there for me when no one else was,” she said.
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Winning Over Your Heroes
Image Credit: Getty Images Anyone would be starstuck in meeting veteran actor Denzel Washington. But it was Hollywood’s own that was impressed with Brianna when she decided to serenade him with a musical piece. Hit play up top.
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Ambition Is Priceless
Image Credit: Getty Images Should Brianna fail to make it as a music teacher (doubt it), she reportedly wants to try her hand at becoming a forensic anthropologist or NASA engineer. Go ‘head girl.