Karnik Prasad

Karnik A Prasad, age 9, started learning piano at the Music Institute of Chicago with Dr. Christina Tio in 2014 at the age of 4. Karnik has participated in Sonata-Sonatina festivals since 2017. He won gold medals in 2017, 2019, and 2020 competitions conducted by the North Shore Music Teacher Association (NSMTA), Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA), and the Naperville Music Teachers Association (NSMTA). Karnik was selected to perform at an NSMTA masterclass with Professor Garnet Unger from the University of Evansville, Indiana. Karnik won an honorable mention in the primary division at Illinois State Music Teacher Association (ISMTA) competition North in 2019. Karnik won first place in Division 1 (9 and under) at Steinway Regionals held in 2020.

Karnik enjoys regularly participating in recitals and concerts offered at the Music Institute and in the community. Karnik enjoys reading kid-friendly biographies about the various music composers and concert artists. When possible, he loves attending classical music concerts with his family.

Karnik studies at Forest Bluff Montessori and demonstrates the love for learning, which essentially forms the core of who he is. He practices diligently, always showing the grit and perseverance needed to accomplish a piece. In addition to his music, Karnik enjoys playing on a travel soccer team, playing tennis, gardening, reading, knitting, and baking. He aspires to join West Point to serve his country when he grows up.

You can find Karnik’s performance here.