Make Music San José

Max Nakano

Max Nakano, Piano Thirteen-year-old pianist Max Nakano began playing piano at just three years old, inspired by his older brothers' love of music. Since then, he has developed a deep passion for the instrument and now studies under the guidance of Lesia Houk. Max performs in recitals twice a year, both as a soloist and occasionally alongside his brother. He is currently preparing to enter high school and is working on the exhilarating third movement of a Beethoven sonata. His favorite composer is Liberace, and he especially enjoys performing movie soundtracks for their emotional range and storytelling power. Outside of music, Max is an avid pickleball player and enjoys weightlifting. He says piano gives him "dopamine spikes" and a chance to show just how good he is—a mix of joy and drive that fuels his performances. One of his dreams is to someday play on the world-famous stage of Carnegie Hall.