Piano prodigy loves to play for elderly - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Sean Vanmeter plays the classic works of Chopin, Beethoven and Bach with ease and he's only 13 years old! But it's work Vanmeter does in the community that gains him the most attention.

He started playing the piano when he was 6 years old, after a failed attempt at drums.

"My parents got me a drum set for Christmas one year but then I decided that I couldn't play. So I said I should learn how to play the piano," said Vanmeter.

He's played all over the southeast and parts of Italy, but the elderly are his favorite audience. Vanmeter has spent more than 1000 hours playing in Georgia retirement homes and assisted living facilities. Irene Wolpert never misses him when he comes to the Renaissance on Peachtree Retirement Community.

"His hand movements and his concentration, it's just wonderful. I just love it. It brings tears to my eyes," said Irene Wolpert.

"When you do a show and you see just how happy these people are to be listening to what you've spent years and years working on, that's the big reward," said Vanmeter.

His goals are to get to Carnegie Hall and buy a $210,000 Steinway grand piano. Practice may get him to Carnegie Hall, and it is something he does at least two hours day. But what about the piano?

"There's an old saying; ‘Aim for the stars and if you miss, you'll hit the moon,'" said Vanmeter.

"I hope he plays with the Atlanta Symphony someday," said Balfoura Levine.

Vanmeter says if someone has a talent, it should be their civic duty to give back to the community.

Piano isn't Vanmeter's only talent. He's in a rock band and excels in science. He's also learning to fly. For more information on Sean Vanmeter, visit his website at www.seanvanmeter.com