Clearly, most teenagers are most familiar with pop, hip-hop, and rock, but some youth still prefer classical music. Sophomore Max Friedman is one of these classical music enthusiasts.

Friedman was introduced to musical composition at age eight, and he instantly realized that it was something he would always enjoy doing.

With the support of his father, also a composer, Friedman continued his musical endeavors in the following years and began composing original pieces.

“Sometimes an idea just pops into my head,” he said.

Friedman has written pieces of various styles, but he describes most of his work as informal and somewhat comical.

“There are a lot of musical gags… abruptly changing keys, over-the-top lyrics,” he said, detailing the characteristics of his compositions.

Many of Friedman’s pieces have been showcased at public events, including various concerts and Arts Fest. A few of the concerts have taken place outside of Memphis, including one in Houston, and even Germany, where his most complex piece “Pillars of Creation” won a youth art competition.

“It was absolutely a great experience,” he said about his trip to Germany. “It turned out to be a huge deal… It was a completely global competition. Winners were from places all over the world.”

Even with such remarkable musical achievement, Friedman still encounters challenges in composing his pieces, especially with making his music sound intact.

“[The compositions] are good ideas, but they’re not developed enough… The good thing about [rearranging my music] is that it’s my music, and I can always change it.”

Friedman has achieved significant success as a young composer, but his interests in the sciences are stronger than in the arts. He’s had a passion for paleontology since age five, and has even spent summers on dinosaur digs in New Mexico.

“I don’t think [I’ll] become a musician. [Composing] is just something that I do for enjoyment,” he said.

Though Friedman may not have a future focused on music, he can always enjoy the remarkable musical achievements of his adolescent years. He continues with his musical efforts and even has an upcoming concert in the spring at the Dixon Gardens. His story is a prime example of how age doesn’t restrict talent, and can be an inspiration to us all.