Anyone who is just listening and not watching them play live will have the clear impression that these are adults who have dedicated years of their lives to learning their instruments. In reality, the musicians are only 14 years old.
The twin brothers Ariel and Ben Chamis have been playing since very early; Ben since he was 4 years old, when he started playing piano by ear, and Ariel, who has been taking guitar lessons since he was 6. It’s no surprise that they were drawn to music; after all, their father, Flavio, is a conductor, composer, music event producer, and a Latin Grammy nominee. Their mother, Tatjana, is the Associate Principal Viola of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and has played chamber music with some of the biggest names in classical music.
“They really grew up surrounded by music,” says Flavio Chamis, who is also a “part-time businessman,” and adds with a laugh that he also acts as a roadie, copyist, driver, and everything else that is necessary… “it’s just one of those things”
Ben, the younger of the twins by exactly 13 minutes, prefers to play jazz and Brazilian music, especially Bossa Nova. “I can play classical music, but it’s not as fun as jazz,” he says. Lately, I have been listening to everything I can find by Edú Lobo. Ariel also prefers jazz and plays in a rock band called Feed-Back with four friends.
Both are in the ninth grade at North Allegheny School District, where they also sing in the school choir. Ben frequently serves as the accompanying pianist for the choir. In addition to music, Ben practices Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, and basketball, while Ariel plays soccer, basketball, and cross-country.
The boys are experienced artists, having performed at the Latin American Festival at the University of Pittsburgh for the past four years, as well as at Carnegie Library, William Penn, Shady Side Academy, and solo concerts at the Christine Frechard Art Gallery. They have performed for audiences of hundreds, and Ben played in a Mozart concert on the Prelúdio program of TV Cultura in São Paulo.
“We get a little nervous before a concert, but once the music starts, we immediately calm down,” said Ariel. Besides playing, the boys tell stories about the songs and their composers, developing the art of public speaking, which their father believes will be useful in the future.
In recent months, the twins have also played numerous times at nursing homes and retirement houses, always for free. “We often get super positive reactions and comments,” said Ben. “Older people are deeply touched by the music. And most have never heard these pieces performed by such young people, so they find it charming. Some sing along with us, especially well-known jazz standards or Garota de Ipanema, and some even cry. But we are really happy when our music makes people feel good.
“They often ask our age, and several try to put tips in our hands,” Ariel added. “And they thank us – a lot.”
As preparation for their shows, Ariel and Ben study about half an hour a day. They also take lessons with distinguished teachers in classical music, jazz, and rock, and even via Skype with their Brazilian teacher, the excellent pianist Luiz Gustavo Zago, whom they met in 2012 when they spent a sabbatical year in Florianópolis.
“I don’t really like studying piano; but we certainly have a good feeling after a successful concert,” said Ben.
As for the future, for now, neither boy shows interest in becoming a professional musician. “I can play for a few more years, but I don’t think I’ll have much free time in college,” said Ben, who dreams of a future career in nutrition.
“I will probably continue playing electric guitar for fun,” added Ariel, who intends to focus on medicine.
According to Flavio, the decision is up to them. “Music is mandatory for now, but there’s no problem if they don’t want to continue playing. They will certainly do very well in whatever they choose to pursue.”
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