Carnegie Hall in New York is known as one of the most esteemed concert halls in the country. Monday night, the venue made headlines for hosting rap artist Jay Z for the first time ever.

But families and music lovers in Mahwah are talking about a different Carnegie Hall performance, that of 12-year-old Ramapo Ridge student Alan Xing. The piano player was one of 30 students from the tri-state area to win the chance to perform on stage from The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program.

As one of the top scoring musicians on the program’s assessment, Xing was invited to play in a recital held at the hall last month. According to a release from the program, it provides exams for student players that allow them to “measure and celebrate accomplishment and track their progress across the country.”

For Alan Xing, who also plays saxophone and percussion, the experience of playing at the world-famous venue is not one he’ll soon forget. “The hall is really big and really beautiful,” he said. “But once you start playing, your nerves calm down. You just block out the audience and play. I really enjoyed it.”

Xing’s experience probably helped calm his nerves as well. 2012 marked the second consecutive year that he was invited by the Royal Conservatory Achievement Program to play there. “I know some really amazing musicians who have played Carnegie Hall, so it makes me feel good to know that I have accomplished this,” the seventh grader told Patch.

According to his mom, Karen Xing, Alan has been playing since he was four years old. Since the family moved to Mahwah six years ago, he has been studying under a private instructor in Pearl River, NY. He also plays in ensembles at the Ridge. “As a parent, it is amazing to watch not only your child on the [Carnegie Hall] stage, but all of the children,” Karen Xing said. “The audience is completely packed with people, and it’s just a wonderful thing to see.”

Having accomplished at 12 what some musicians spend a career working toward, Alan says his goal in the future is to just keep playing. “I really like all of the instruments I play, because you get to experience the music from different angles,” he said. “I think I am going to keep playing anywhere I can for as long as I can.”