It's not just about the piano

Val Wold is, in many ways, your typical 11-year-old boy.

He likes to swim, fish and boat on the Spokane River. Last summer, he joined other Boy Scouts on a 50-mile canoe trip around Priest Lake.

"I just like to do what regular kids do," he says.

And he's funny, too.

When asked about his hobbies, he quickly answers, "School." Then a moment later, he laughs.

"Just kidding. That's what my dad would say."

But toss aside his quick wit and his perfectly groomed hair, there is something else that sets this dignified, soft-spoken boy apart from his counterparts. And it's sitting right there in the middle of the windowed-rotunda, with the Spokane River flowing silently past right outside.

A piano.

And yes, Val Wold can play.

When he does, he sits straight, eyes the mighty Kimball, and his hands begin to move up an down the ivory, back and forth, setting off each black and white key.

This is not the sound an 11 year old usually creates at a piano. It is, however, the standard for Val Wold - one those who know him, have heard his music, have come to expect.

"He's amazing. He's really amazing to us. I hear him every day and he makes me cry every day," said his mother, Luba. "Just the things he plays nowadays are unbelievable.

"It's amazing at this age, he really feels the music. It makes you feel the music, too, the audience," she said.

Val will take his talents to the stage tonight at the Kroc Center in a benefit performance for the Kootenai Humane Society.

It's his second such concert this year, having played in May to raise money for Our Daily Bread, an organization that helps the needy.

In two acts, he'll play a mix of classical and popular songs from the '40s and '50s.

Other than his parents, Luba and Tom Wold acting as emcees, it will be Val's show from start to finish. The spotlight will be on him alone.

Not that he's worried.

"I'm only 11, but I've been doing concerts for almost four years now," he said. "I'm pretty well used to it. I do get nervous at big events like this, but that pressure actually gets me to play better, surprisingly.

"Oh, and it's fun. I definitely enjoy the playing that I do," he said. "I do put a lot of feeling into the music."

But don't expect Val just to move mechanically from one song to the next. He's a bit of joker, too. This kid likes to get others to laugh.

"I'm not one of those boring people. You can definitely count on having a two-in-one show. A music show and a stand up comedian act."

It's been an almost meteoric ride for Val since he first began playing the piano at age 6.

Luba recalled the time Val sat down beside her at the piano as she was playing "The Moonlight Sonata" and said he wanted to try.

His hands, she thought, were surely too small. But he seemed to play by ear and 20 minutes later, as her son was still tapping out the tune, she saw it, she heard it, she recognized it: Natural talent.

"Granted, I don't remember any of this," Val chimed in at the end of the story.

Pretty much a prodigy, he was a little too advanced for the classes his mom enrolled him in and began taking private lessons. The results?

At 7, he gave his first public concert.

At 8, his first TV interview.

At 9, he produced his first CD, "First Edition."

At 10, his second CD, "Beyond His Years," which included one of his own compositions, "Dad's Corvette."

And at 11?

"A lot of things happened at 11," Val said.

There was a 55-minute radio interview.

There's been one benefit show, and another tonight.

And then he was awarded a Gold Medal for his performance of the 3rd movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at 2010 Musicfest Northwest on May 14. His mom noted he was competing in the same division as kids in the seventh and eighth grades.

"I've been doing quite well," he says politely, sounds more like a researcher of some sort than a pianist. "There has been some success, some great advancements in the past."

Val didn't get where he is today by being a natural, though. He practices six days a week, two to three hours a day. His teacher is Tony Helms of Hayden.

Mom, Luba, played the piano too as a child. Her son, she says with a big smile, is much better than she ever was.

"Not even close," she said, laughing.

Today, her son's main goal is to become a concert pianist and composer. He's written a few of his own songs, and has been taking music composition courses.

Val, who likes to listen to the music of fellow North Idaho pianist Brian Crain, is planning on a Christmas tour in the Seattle area this winter.

On the stage, with his piano, is where he is at home.

"He just loves to perform," Luba said. "He's really enjoying it and people enjoy watching him."

The applause is great, but he looks forward to a few laughs, too.

When asked if he has to be careful not to hurt his hands when he's playing around outside, Val chuckles.

"I don't have insurance on my fingers," he said, grinning. "The only insurance that I have is, don't get them hurt."

Benefit concert

Val Wold will play a benefit concert for Kootenai Humane Society 7-9 p.m. tonight at the Kroc Center. Tickets are $12 for adult, $10 for senior and $10 for children 12 and under. Family of 4 is $35