Johnny Octavian Dobos is a native of Glendale, Arizona. When he was just one and a half years old he sang for the first time in Church, taught by his mother. At three years old he knew how to write and read romanian fluently, a language which helped him communicate with his grandparents and other relatives from Romania. His mother was a big influence in helping him do things from his heart with courage and always believing in himself. He has always brought lots of joy in the Romanian Community where he was always solicited to sing and recite little Romanian church poems. When he was just four years old, his favorite memorized Psalm was Psalm 23.

John began his piano studies at age four with his mother and at age five and a half, he started taking private lessons with Mrs. Irene Kuniski. Since that young age John received various awards in piano competitions around the valley. In October of 2000 at age 6 John had his first CD recording of Christian Hymns. Two years later John and his mother traveled to Romania in the city of Arad where both John's mother and father were born. He visited romanian orphanages and poor kids where he donated CD's to try and let them know not to look at their worries but that they can also believe in dreams and prayers. A few months later his Uncle John Wagner from Romania introduced Johnny's Cd at a Christian Radio Station CNM Arad Romania, where Johnny's Cd was played and listened daily by the Romanian Community.

In 2002 while taking piano lessons John also entered the School of John Robert Powers. In 2003 he received the Certificate of Completion in Modeling, Pre-teen Act 1 and Commercial Print.

In 2002 John joined the studio of Dr. Baruch Meir, Professor of Piano at Arizona State University School of music also known as (Herberger College of Fine Arts). Since Johnny began studying with Dr. Meir he gained lots of knowledge in playing the piano with quality and technique.

John has a natural gift and has a great personality that shines through. He is home schooled and practices the piano four hours a day determined to become a ''pianist with good sound and technique, a pianist who loves to give inspiration of love through the art of music".

Awards and Events

2000
Superior with Distinction at the Celebrating of Music ASMTA

Superior with Honors, AZ Study Program

2001
Superior with Distinction at the Celebrating of Music ASMTA

Superior with Honors, AZ Study Program

2002
Superior at the Celebrating of Music ASTMA

Superior with Honors at Arizona Study Program

Winner of Solo Division in the Arizona Piano Shimmel Young Artist Competition

2003
Alternate Winner Award on Winner's Showcase of AZ Piano-Schimmel Young Artist Competition
(Performance was recorded for KBAQ Phoenix's Classical Radio Station)

2004
Medallist Winner, James R. Anthony
Honors Recital

2005
Medallist with Distinction, James R. Anthony Honors Recital

2006
Second Prize in the Solo Division AZ Piano-Schimmel Young Artist Competition (Performance was recorded for KBAQ Phoenix's Classical Radio Station)

In March John performed at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale Arizona as an "Outstanding Young Student"

Medallist with Distinction, James R. Anthony Honors Recital

Certificate of Merit , Bronze Medal and monetary award of $750.00 from Arizona Youth Piano Competition on Junior Division

2007
First Prize, Emily Butcher Outstanding Elementary Performance Award
(Advanced Elementary Solo Division AZ Piano Young Artist Piano Competition

Second Prize, Junior Concerto Division Schimmel AZ Piano Young Artist Piano Competition

Celebrating Homage with A. Arthur Rubinstein on his 120th Birthday, John was a "Special Guest" at the Katzin Concert Hall at Herberger College of Fine Arts

In May John performed at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale, Arizona

Medallist with Distinction, James R. Anthony Honors Recital

2008
First Prize in Junior Artist Division, Schimmel
AZ Piano Young Artist Competition
First Prize in Junior Concerto Division, Schimmel AZ Piano Young Artist Competition