Thirteen-year-old Ian Counts will display his award winning musical talent in a benefit concert Jan. 31 at St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Counts, a straight-A student at St. John Fisher School, was recently named the 2003 Young Artist of the Year and earned the honor of performing as a featured soloist with the Beach Cities Symphony at El Camino College in Redondo Beach. He is currently preparing for the Edith Knox Competition in February where he will be competing against college-level musicians.

Counts began his piano studies at the age of seven. He has since won many competitions including the Southern California Junior Bach Festival and the Southwestern Youth Music Festival.

"Though our benefit traditionally showcases our church's professional talent, Ian is such a phenomenal pianist that we have asked him to perform as well," said Alison Graff, director of St. John Fisher's parish and school choirs.

Counts will be performing Claude Debussy's "Reflets dans l'eau" at the Jan. 31 concert, 6:45 p.m. at St. John Fisher Church.