"For a kid, he's done quite well—all the shows and the jobs that he's gotten," says his father, Mike. "It just amazes me."

As a pianist, Pardini has performed in two Theater on San Pedro Square plays and the San José State University production of the musical Cabaret, and has provided accompaniment for the Santa Clara Men's Chorus, and also the jazz band and chorus at Archbishop Mitty High School, where he is a senior. He formerly played string bass for the San Jose Symphony's Youth Orchestra.

As if that weren't enough to keep him busy, Pardini is involved with Children's Musical Theater San Jose, having performed on piano and string bass in nearly a dozen productions. As a junior in high school, he took on the role of associate musical director for Jekyll and Hyde and musical and vocal director for Pinocchio.

Pardini contends that conducting is not as easy as it might seem to the casual observer, however.

"Everyone's out there in front of me, and I have the control, pretty much," he says. "But it's nerve-racking. Fun, but a lot of stress. It's a lot of responsibility. You're leading everyone and then there are more people onstage that you have to cue. There's a lot to think about."

With a schedule like his, one might think Pardini would want to spend his free time doing something nonmusical. But he plays in two liturgical rock groups and periodically forms casual bands with his friends.

"Sometimes we'll walk into the living room," says Mike, pointing to different parts of the room, " and the drum set is set up over there, the guitar player's over here, and maybe you've got a second guitar player, depending on who's here. Lee's on piano. We get free entertainment—no cover charge."

"The neighbors don't complain either," adds Pardini's mother, Karen.

His interest in music was apparent from an early age. In the third grade he "begged" to have piano lessons, and Karen found Laura Longshore, now a music teacher at Booksin Elementary.

Pardini says, "She was a great teacher" who realized, when his interest turned to jazz piano, that his musical development would require a different kind of instructor. Pardini began taking lessons at the San Jose School of Music, 1202 Lincoln Ave., where he studied with Bay Area pianist Christopher Molloy before high school. For the past year Saya Siato, the former musical director of the Aaron Neville Band, has been his teacher.

"We got him a keyboard to start out with," Karen explains, "because we didn't want to invest in a piano until we were sure that he really loved it. Our older son took up the flute and that lasted for about six months. But Lee was so self-motivated. We had to tell him to stop practicing and go do something else."

"Like homework," Mike adds.

" 'No more piano—go watch TV,' " Karen says.

Piano wasn't Lee's only love. In seventh grade he started experimenting with the electrical bass guitar, after hearing Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. From there he moved onto string bass, to "broaden his horizons."

It's the string bass that Pardini plays for the Palo Alto­based California Youth Symphony (CYS), which he joined this fall after a competitive application process.

"Lee came to us very highly recommended," says CYS executive director Jim Hogan. "The bass is one of the most important parts of the orchestra, because it carries the lowest part of the register. It's a very difficult instrument to play, but Lee is an excellent musician."

As for his future, Pardini has his sights set on the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, the oldest independent school of music in the United States and the first major conservatory of music to establish a fully accredited jazz performance program. His second choice is the Manhattan School of Music, the largest private conservatory in the country offering both jazz and classical training.

And how do his parents feel about having a professional musician in the family?

Mike says, deadpan, "I want to be his manager and get 10 percent."

"It's a tough business," Karen remarks. "But if he makes it, great. He's just so focused and always has been. He has a passion."

The California Youth Symphony will perform Sunday, Nov. 17, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 650 N. Delaware, San Mateo. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door or from CYS musicians. For more information, call 650.325.6666.