TV show changes lives
Published 15 September, 2007, 08:30
A 14-year-old virtuoso accordion player lives in one of Russia's provinces. He's always been talented and now he's rich. After winning money and fame on prime time TV, his life has taken a turn for the better.
First place in the popular Russian TVshow called “Minute of Glory” won him 1st prize of 1 million roubles or $US 39,000. Last May all this happened to a 14-year-old boy, Maksim Tokaev, from the city of Tula.
Now the family recalls those great moments at home in front of the TV-set.
Maksim's father suggested he took part in the contest at the very last moment. Along with other competitors the boy had just a couple of minutes to show-off his talent.
Now Maksim has his very own fan club, and a collection of letters to prove it. The prize money he won has done much to change the lives of Maksim's family. His father is a security guard and his mother a kindergarten teacher.
“We decided what to do with the money at a family council. One part was saved for Maksim's education. We also bought a car and started to repair our house,” says Oleg Tokaev, Maksim's father.
But the money prize wasn't all he got. An accordion worth more than $US 8,000 was another trophy Maksim, who's been playing accordion since he was five, won at the competition.
The victory in the TV show wasn't his first. He has many tropies and diplomas from both national and interenation contests, but his victory in the the TV show has brought new opportunities.
“I get invitations from music colleges from all over Russia, and even from abroad. But I decided to stay closer to my home and family,” Maksim says.
Shortly after the show he joined the Tula Music College to continue mastering his instrument. His teacher puts studying first and says concert life should wait.
The next season of the TV show that brought Maksim success has just started for another group of amateurs.
But for the young accordion player from Tula there are other things to keep in mind – working hard to become a fully-fledged professional.
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