On the lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the sun shone brightly over the Devonian Gardens, providing a serene escape from the bustling downtown Calgary. The air was alive with the captivating melody of “Golden Hour” by Jvke, a song that had gained popularity on TikTok, enveloping everyone present in its ethereal rhythm. Each note floated gently, infusing the atmosphere with warmth reminiscent of the last rays of spring sunlight.
At the center of this musical moment was Adam Smallboy, a 12-year-old Cree piano prodigy. As his fingers danced across the keys, time seemed to stand still, captivating onlookers with the healing power of his performance. His kokum (grandmother), parents, and siblings watched with pride, their adoration evident as they supported him.
“I just play piano because I like playing,” Adam stated simply, embodying the pure joy that music brings.
Adam hails from Maskwacîs and, despite his extraordinary talent, has no formal training. He learned to play the piano by ear in just a few months, demonstrating a natural gift for music. On any given day, you can find him at one of Calgary’s public pianos, filling the air with his eclectic style.
On this particular day, Adam showcased a unique blend of hip-hop beats from artists like Dr. Dre and Kanye West, seamlessly intertwined with classical melodies from Beethoven. Passersby were drawn in, stopping to capture the moment on their phones as his infectious energy encouraged others to join in. When a woman requested to sing along, Adam beamed and continued to play, creating a shared experience of joy.
Adam cherishes music for its ability to foster happiness and connection. Coming from a tight-knit family that uplifts each other’s musical talents, he emphasizes the importance of their support. His aunt first shared a video of him playing “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears on TikTok, which has since garnered over 54,000 views and a flood of encouraging comments.
Comments like, “Let’s keep sharing this video. This kid needs his own stage,” and “Bro is Beethoven,” reflect the admiration and pride felt by many who have encountered his talent.
In an interview, Adam’s mother, Tanya Bruno, shared, “Adam plays the piano every single day.” She recalled a pivotal moment when Adam, at 10 years old, expressed his desire for a small keyboard he found at Value Village. “That’s when he decided he was going to start learning. He began watching videos and practicing.”
Recognizing her son’s growing confidence and skill, Tanya eventually bought him a more advanced piano. “That’s when I knew I had a real musician to take care of,” she remarked.
Adam’s father, Wade Smallboy, remembered asking Adam who had taught him to play as his skills developed. Adam replied simply, “nobody.” Wade expressed immense pride in Adam, sharing that his sons have shown him how “music is like medicine.”
Adam’s inspiration to learn the piano came from observing his older brother, Ashton Smallboy, who was the first among the siblings to play by ear. “I watched my older brother start playing piano, and then I started looking at videos of other people playing piano,” Adam explained.
Ashton highlighted the joy of witnessing Adam perform, stating, “It’s amazing. It’s a good feeling. I love seeing them play and I love seeing people clap for them.” He emphasized the importance of their community, saying, “It’s good to see our people doing really good things, especially our youthful kids.”
Tanya encourages other parents to nurture their children’s musical talents, even in the face of financial difficulties. “I wanted to put them in lessons for a long time, [but] it hadn’t been easy for me. It didn’t stop us though,” she said.
Adam is continually refining his skills, hoping to inspire his younger brothers to learn the piano as well. He dreams of creating his own music in the future. When asked what advice he would give to other children interested in learning an instrument, Adam’s response was straightforward: “Practice, practice every day.”
With his infectious enthusiasm and remarkable talent, Adam Smallboy embodies the spirit of music as a unifying force, spreading joy and inspiration to all who encounter his performances.
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