Brothers Samuel, 16, and Isaac McNamee, 14, each took piano lesson at age 5; now as teenagers, they got an unlikely opportunity Tuesday.
The Aiken residents performed for Rachel Kudo, a graduate of The Juilliard School, during a master class held at USC Aiken.
"I've gone to a lot of master classes, including several at USCA," Samuel said. "The feedback was very helpful today for her to pick out some things I missed."
Musicians connected with the school have participated in the Juilliard in Aiken celebration for several years.
The others who attended the master classes are students from the Governor's School for the Arts in Greenville.
In additional to the piano students, three others played trumpet selections for Brandon Ridenour, a prominent musician nationally and a Juilliard graduate.
"It's good to hear our students play for a young person close to their age who has done well," said David Hamilton, the Governor's School music department chairman.
Sponsoring the event were Steve and Zoe Homoki and Rob and Pam Johnston.
The Homokis came by the Etherredge Center and were especially glad to see the young men from Aiken.
"It's fantastic to see all the talent in this state," said Steve, an Aiken City Council member.
Zoe has previously served on the Juilliard of Aiken Board of Directors.
"We absolutely will continue to serve as sponsors," she said.
Samuel and Isaac are two of nine children home-schooled by their parents, Debbie and Edward McNamee.
All the children took piano lessons from Mary Losey, of Aiken, while growing up.
The brothers might collaborate, but it's also friendly competition, Isaac said with a smile.
They have grown up listening to and performing classical music.
Samuel selected "The Lark" by the 19th-century composer Mily Balakirev. Isaac chose the "Waltz in E Minor" by Chopin.
Kudo "did help me to work on my emotion," Issac said.
Kudo, described by critics as a promising talent, performed in Aiken two years ago.
She appreciates the community's warmth and also its warm weather.
"It's a great opportunity to work with the these students," Kudo said. "Their love and dedication for music is so special and unique."
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.