Catholic Teen Is a Piano Prodigy and Composer

Tags: Currents Brooklyn, NY, Crux, Faith, Inspiration, Music, Music Ministry, Queens, NY

By Emily Drooby

A flute, clarinet, violin, and cello seamlessly blending together to create a beautiful blizzard of sounds in a composition called “Almighty Blizzard.”

The piece came from the mind of 14-year-old Julian Raheb, a composer and a piano prodigy.

Julian’s composition had its world premiere at a Regina Opera Company performance on Sunday February 2, held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

It was the Catholic teen’s sixth composition to premier with the company, the first being at only 12-years-old.

“It feels great to express myself through music and creating my own style that nobody else has done” the artist explained.

“What he’s accomplished at this point is beyond what I ever would have thought, it’s phenomenal,” said his father, Jeffrey Raheb.

“Julian has been with us for a while, so we watched him grown up. His music is evolving, and it’s changing, and its absolutely beautiful music,” said Elena Jannicelli, the vice president of the Regina Opera Company.

This is the Regina Opera’s fiftieth season.

Julian started composing in fourth grade, and has trained in the prestigious New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program.

Inspired by Bach, he puts his own spin on his compositions. Going forward, Julian will continue to perform and compose music.