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Pittsburgh CAPA Student Performs At White House

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Nov 5, 2009 8:29 pm US/Eastern

Pittsburgh CAPA Student Performs At White House

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― On September 25, Jason Yoder might have thought he'd reached the high mark of his young career, sharing the stage with legendary cellist Yo Yo Ma at a command performance for the First Lady and her G-20 guests.

It turns out that was just a warm up.

Yesterday, for two concerts with President and Mrs. Obama and their family in the audience, the East Room of the White House became the stage for the 16-year-old student at the Pittsburgh's Creative and Performing Arts High School.

"It was really cool. There was history everywhere," he said.

Jason is an unassuming kid, with music running through his head and out through his fingers constantly.

The invitation came two weeks ago, says CAPA Principal Melissa Pearlman.

"When one of Mrs. Obama's staffers called and said that they were designing a tribute to classical music, 'Would Jason be interested?' Would Jason be interested?!"

Jason went with his mom, Esther, and younger sister April.

"They did pay for the hotel and the hotel was pretty nice. That was nice and they gave us transportation and they gave us transportation there and back," Jason said. "They didn't feed us but that's fine."

Mrs. Obama had been blown away by Jason's Pittsburgh performance and he reprised Saint-Saens' "The Swan."

"Really awesome that I have such a big fan, and happens to be such an important person," Jason said.

Jason hopes that his passion for music and good luck might mean the chance at a scholarship.

"Since music schools generally cost a lot of money, and we don't really have that money, so this is really, really a great opportunity," he said.

Jason's White House performance earned a standing ovation and he was quoted in the Thursday's New York Times. Not a bad start.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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