Even though I had previewed the Young Pianist Series recital appearance by Ray Ushikubo, I admit that I was not at all prepared for a performance that literally left me speechless. On paper, one might assume that the 17-year-old pianist would be your average supremely-talented teen at the beginning of his serious music education—Ushikubo has entered the Curtis Institute of Music this year to pursue his Bachelor’s degree. Average? No. Supremely talented? Most definitely.