At some point, we all have that dream – standing in front of our loved ones and delivering an epic performance while they look on in awe and admiration.

For Garrett Podgorski, this moment really happened when he was in 5th grade.

A 10-year-old’s orchestra concert isn’t exactly the place one would expect to hear a screaming Van Halen guitar solo, but for Garrett, 2012 turned out to be his time to shine.

This moment of stardom has been watched over 6.6 million times by YouTube viewers alone since then – in addition to the roughly 300 people in attendance that night.

Once his music teacher saw some of his YouTube videos, she asked him to play the bass in the school’s orchestra. As she introduces him in the video, she explains that he took the instrument up without issue and had a natural gift for it.

But it’s nothing compared to his talent on the electric guitar.

His skills are pretty epic considering he had only been playing for 2 years at that point (and appears to be self-taught).

In fact, he was so good that orchestra conductor allowed him to perform a solo in the middle of the group’s concert.

What a great teacher!

Judging by the Santa hats some of the kids are wearing, we’re guessing this was a Christmas concert. But Podgorski’s solo is not holiday music, it’s “Eruption” by Van Halen!

While the teacher acknowledges that it’s no bass and not the “soft violin” that people were there to hear, she simply had to let him show off his talent.

So much for “White Christmas!”

As she gives him the stage, he flashes a quick smile before launching into his solo.

As he nails some tapping and makes good use of his whammy bar, he blows the audience and his fellow students away.

The audience can’t help but cheer him on and we’re betting more than one parent got asked for an electric guitar that Christmas so their own kids could have a moment in the spotlight.

And commenters were not only stunned by his skills – some being critical, but most realizing that he’s absolutely shredding it for a 10-year-old – but by his appreciation for Van Halen as well.

“Most kids his age don’t even know anything about Van Halen. Good parenting,” joked one commenter.

No doubt many of us look at the 5th-grader with a tinge of jealousy since he’s living out that epic dream of being the coolest kid in school in front of everyone he knows.

“Ok so how many parents told their little girls to stay away from him ..lol?”

And while some people always need to be critical, anyone who pointed out flaws in the performance was quickly shut down.

“224 dislikes for a 10-year-old playing on garbage equipment, probably scared out of his mind. Kudos brother you did awesome. The ones trying to put you down probably can’t do what you’re are doing at 10. Keep shredding young dude. Respect,” said one viewer.

Overall the consensus was that Garrett went home a hero that night.

Even the grown-ups in the audience were taking video on their phones!

Since 2012, he’s posted far more videos on his YouTube channel and has only improved – so be sure to check out his other solos as well. (He’s even got an updated version of the Van Halen solo on there from 2019!)

Be sure to scroll down below to see the 10-year-old’s moment of school stardom.

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Source: Garrett Pod via YouTube