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Minor Keys

2004 53 min
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The soaring notes of a violin lift through the air while confident young hands grasp the bow. Lifting the curtain on the little-understood world of the child musical prodigy, Minor Keys takes us into the lives of two exceptional violinists: 12-year-old Ewald Cheung, who dreams of playing the world's famous concert halls, and 18-year-old Jessica Linnebach, who is launching her professional career. Filmed over an 18-month period, this engaging documentary charts the pressure-filled road these young musicians travel. From home and school to music lessons and competitions, they speak candidly about their dreams and fears. James Keene, their inspiring teacher …

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Minor Keys

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The soaring notes of a violin lift through the air while confident young hands grasp the bow. Lifting the curtain on the little-understood world of the child musical prodigy, Minor Keys takes us into the lives of two exceptional violinists: 12-year-old Ewald Cheung, who dreams of playing the world's famous concert halls, and 18-year-old Jessica Linnebach, who is launching her professional career.

Filmed over an 18-month period, this engaging documentary charts the pressure-filled road these young musicians travel. From home and school to music lessons and competitions, they speak candidly about their dreams and fears.

James Keene, their inspiring teacher and a former child prodigy, looks back on his own childhood experiences to cast light on the stress of a glamorous but sometimes unkind business. The documentary also features interviews with renowned developmental psychologist Dr David Henry Feldman.

Mixing candid interviews, lively footage and stirring musical performances, Minor Keys offers a thought-provoking look at the ordinary children behind the extraordinary talents.

  • participant
    Jessica Linnebach
    Ewald Cheung
    James Keene
    David Henry Feldman
    Jennifer Shamess
    Chi Fun Cheung
    David Cheung
    Patinka Kopec
  • writer
    Mieko Ouchi
  • director
    Mieko Ouchi
  • editor
    Scott Parker
  • director of photography
    Daron Donahue
  • location sound
    Jamie Kidd
    Larry MacDonald
  • additional camera
    Larry Carey
  • additional sound
    Chris Newton
  • production manager
    Jason Lee
  • set designer
    Louise Middleton
  • grip
    Terry Sims
    Brett Manyluk
  • online editor
    Kevin House
    Tyler Hill
  • colourist
    Herman Ansink
    Joe Owens
  • music consultant
    James Keene
  • sound editor
    John Blerot
  • sound mix
    Wolf Willow Sound
  • researcher
    Jason Lee
    Mieko Ouchi
  • transcription
    Bridget Toms
  • production assistant
    Claudette Breton
    Faye Yoneda
    Rosemary Karges
    Dean Fang
  • studio clerk
    Ginette D'Silva
  • production supervisor
    Kelly Isaac
  • production administrator
    Darin Clausen
  • producer
    Bonnie Thompson
  • executive producer
    Graydon McCrea

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