Kelseyville >> When 13-year-old Andre Williams of Kelseyville casually mentioned embarking on a trip to Canada for piano lessons from one of his idols, YouTube anime pianist Theishter, his mother said simply, “Why don’t you ask him?”
Williams messaged Theishter of Facebook and asked if he’d be willing to sit down with him for some lessons. Though the YouTuber had never instructed anyone before, he agreed to meet up with Williams for a week and pass on some skills. On July 12, Williams and his mother hopped on a plane north. When Williams stepped out of the airport he went straight to Theishter’s house and the two practiced for six hours, after which they watched anime. They did the same thing all week. “It was really exciting because he’s so much more experienced than I am,” Andre Williams said.
With nearly 300,000 subscribers and almost 40 million views on YouTube, Theishter is a popular pianist specializing in anime music. Williams explains the style as Japanese pop music transcribed on the piano. “He’s possibly one of the top pianists on YouTube,” Andre Williams said.
“He’s one of the few out there who does this type of music on the piano, so I think that’s why he’s so big,” his mom, Andrea Williams added.
Based on how much time the two spent together, it seems both pianists had a highly enjoyable week. Williams ventured a guess that Theishter agreed to the lessons “maybe just because no one had asked him before and he thought it would be a cool experience,” he said. “People don’t just ask if they can fly up to Canada.”
Williams and Theishter weren’t strangers before the week though. They’d met twice before, once at a concert and another time at a meet and greet, both in Los Angeles. Andre Williams and his mother have made the trip down south multiple times, just to see Theishter perform. It’s a long trip, but worth the drive. “I’m very supportive and definitely encourage things that make him happy,” Andrea Williams said.
One stipulation was that Andre Williams pay for his plane ticket himself. He didn’t mind. He wanted to visit Theishter so badly, he saved up his funds, including all his birthday cash, for the ticket to Canada. “And then he [Theishter] didn’t charge us because he made the trip out there. The lessons didn’t cost us anything,” Andrea Williams said. “He was very generous to Andre. He bought him gifts and took him out to eat.”
At the end of the trip, Theishter and Williams recorded a duet (which can be viewed on Theishter’s Facebook page) and in less than 24 hours it had over 1,000 likes and a large number of supportive comments. Many people showed interest in learning from Theishter themselves and asked for advice for their own musical pursuits. “Just the comments … can give you a feel of how people feel about this artist that he went to see for lessons,” Andrea Williams said.
When Andre Williams showed interest in the piano at eight-years-old, his grandmother agreed to pay for lessons on one condition; he had to stick it out for a year. After the year was up, if he wanted to quit he could. And though he enjoyed the instrument enough to keep up with it, it wasn’t until he discovered the anime style that his passion blossomed. “Even though he started at eight and committed to the year, it wasn’t until he found this style of music that it really became serious,” Andrea Williams said. “This is where he was like, ‘okay yes, this makes me happy and I want to learn it.’”
Theishter acts as a kind of mentor to Williams, even though the two have only a met a few times. In 2010, a few of Andre Williams’ friends told him about anime piano music and he searched online for the style until he stumbled upon Theishter. The two have been in contact ever since. “This style of music, it’s made him more passionate about wanting to learn the piano,” Andrea Williams said. “This artist has given him that inspiration because they have the same interests.”
Williams favors the music for its emotional impact. “Anime music is really emotional whether it be energetic or really sad,” he explained. “It’s really nice to project that onto other people.”
But the style is technically much more demanding than the classical technique Williams has been trained in. After five years of piano practice, he’s just beginning to test the waters of anime music. “I’ve been transitioning into that,” he said. “Classical music is more for my technique. A lot of transcribers use a classical basis to transcribe anime.” His lessons with Theishter, which included tips on practicing and crafting arrangements as well as instruction in music from an anime called “Angel Beats,” should help his transition.
Now, Williams practices the piano for two to three hours a day, without any prodding from his mother. And though his father and grandfather are both musicians, his playing outstrips their music sensibilities. “It’s definitely in the blood, but he’s taken it to another level, his passion for it,” Andrea Williams said.
Last school year, Williams was invited to play with the Kelseyville High School jazz band, even though he jad yet to make it through the 8th grade. “Every morning he got up and went to zero period at the high school before the day started,” Andrea Williams said. “He’s pretty dedicated and a hard worker.”
Andre Williams also has his own YouTube channel where he posts piano covers (youtube.com/nuppette) and though he has quite a ways to go before he catches up to Theishter, few things can deter someone with passion and talent. Williams appears to have much of both. Maybe some day he’ll find a request in his inbox from an aspiring young piano player asking for a week’s worth of lessons.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
Cutline 1: Andre Williams (left) and Theishter (right) at the airport.
Cutline 2: Theishter (right) instructs Andre Williams (left) in anime piano music.
