Adrielle Van Bibber

Ten year old Alex Van Bibber lives in Columbus, Ohio. Alex began studying the piano at the age of three, at his own request. As a baby, he would sit with rapt attention and listen to his mother play classical pieces on the piano. Though he couldn’t yet speak, he used baby sign language to communicate that he wanted “more” when the music ended. At three, Alex complained that he was unable to “make the right sounds” on the piano. His insistence convinced his parents that he was ready to begin formal lessons. Since then, he has been absolutely dedicated to his art, joyfully sitting weekly lessons and daily practice sessions far beyond the usual attention span of one so young.
Alex is a natural performer who has delighted in playing for churches and local events in and around central Ohio since he was four. At five, he began studying with his current teacher, Mary Craig Powell. At six, Alex began competing in local, district, and state piano contests. He has distinguished himself with numerous recognitions through these events, taking a substantial number of first and second positions in the last few years. Most recently, Alex won first prize in the Elementary Division in the state of Ohio for his playing through Ohio Music Teachers’ Association, and he was chosen for the Suzuki Association of the Americas Piano Concerto performance, his first international win. Alex described the experience of performing a concerto live with orchestra before a crowd of several hundred people to be “exhilarating.”
Alex is the oldest in a family of four lively children. When he is not practicing or reading a book, Alex enjoys going to school, playing with his friends, attending Columbus Symphony Orchestra concerts, and building with Legos.