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'Guitar prodigy' tears down barriers in Ice Breaker

His stage presence is dazzling. His skills are exceptional. He can work an audience like any rock star. Women adore him. Men are awed. Even musicians who have been playing music for longer than he's been alive respect him.
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Twelve-year-old Carter Morin has been helping his band Ice Breaker wow crowds around the city. The 'guitar prodigy' shines alongside the other youth and adults in the seven-piece cover band. Photo by Jenny Jelen.

His stage presence is dazzling.

His skills are exceptional.

He can work an audience like any rock star.

Women adore him.

Men are awed.
 

Even musicians who have been playing music for longer than he's been alive respect him.

Carter Morin is a 12-year-old guitar prodigy, wowing audiences and stealing the hearts of anyone who listens. In his skinny jeans and plaid button-up, the youngster lights up as he talks about his passion.

“Guitar is my life,” he said. “That's all I do. I wake up, I start playing guitar. I go to school, come back, play guitar. And then go to band. Which is more guitar.”

He grew up listening to Johnny Williams playing house shows at his family home, loving the music and what it represents.

“Everyone would go over there and have a good time,” Carter said. “I was like, 'That'd be pretty cool to play guitar.'”

It wasn't long after that he scored his first instrument.

“That Christmas, my grandparents bought me a little $30 guitar from Costco,” he said. “My mom said 'Hey buddy, do you want lessons?'”

He began playing with Williams, before training with other local musicians. For the last year, he's been under the guidance of Eric Bento, as well as the seasoned musicians in his band Ice Breaker.

The seven-piece cover band includes aspiring super-talents like Carter, as well as legit grownups. Scott Zoldy, the band manager and drummer, said working with youth as talented as Carter makes age irrelevant.
 

Twelve-year-old Carter Morin has been helping his band Ice Breaker wow crowds around the city. The 'guitar prodigy' shines alongside the other youth and adults in the seven-piece cover band.

Twelve-year-old Carter Morin has been helping his band Ice Breaker wow crowds around the city. The 'guitar prodigy' shines alongside the other youth and adults in the seven-piece cover band. Photo by Jenny Jelen.


“When we're on stage, I don't look at Carter as a 12-year-old,” he said. “When we start rehearsing, the age barrier disappears. It's about the music. That's what's really cool about it.”

Taylor Bovin-Brawley, 16, sings and plays keyboard, and Connor Mitchell, 18, plays bass. The rest of the band is made up of adults Andrea Therrien, lead vocals, Craig Jacobs, guitar, and Scott's brother Allan Zoldy on keys, guitar and backup vocals.

“We're a rock group I've kind of titled as a community rock band initiative,” he said. “Right now my focus is on youth.”

A balance of grownups and kids mean young performers have someone to look up to, and adults can stay fresh.

“The dynamic in the group is like something I've never experienced before,” he said. “Our youth bring in a lot of creative ideas. With experience, we certainly have knowledge of a different era, but they bring in a lot of creativity.”

It's not just raw ideas either — Zoldy said the three young people in the band are simply good at what they do.

“The talent from these youth is just amazing,” he said. “Why not give them the opportunity to be exposed to something they want to do so much? The dedication they put in is phenomenal.”

While all the musicians have grown from the experience, there is no doubt Carter will continue to shine as he progresses.

“He's too good to be playing in a basement,” Zoldy said. “He needs to be somewhere he can be perfecting his craft. He does not disappoint.”

To see Ice Breaker in action, pick up a ticket for their May 4 show at Little Montreal. Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance from the venue and Prom Music, or at the door for $12.

The show gets started at 7:30 p.m. They will also be playing this summer's Spanish Rock N' Roar Festival, after winning the festival's Battle of the Bands competition.


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