WORCESTER. Mass. - Growing up, there's a good chance you tried to learn how to play a musical instrument, but it takes rare skill and determination to make a career out of it. Twin siblings Marshall and Shaylen Joos have proven they have what it takes. 

Marshall's instrument of choice is the organ, while Shaylen prefers the harp. On Wednesday, they played in front of dozens of people at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

"The piano didn't have the same draw as the organ," said Marshall. "There's so much great repertoire for the organ, it just really excites me."

"I just fell in love with the harp," said Shaylen. "I can't remember many, if any, times where I wanted to quit at all. Once I started, it just kept going."

At 18 years old, the two have already racked up plenty of accolades. Marshall placed first in the Boston Chapter of the Regional Competition for Young Organists in 2019, and followed it up by earning three scholarships and the Jack Kent Cook Young Artist Award. He's a rising sophomore at Rice University's Shepard School of Music, where he's majoring in organ performance.

Not to be outdone, Shaylen was a finalist at the 2018 International Young Artists Harp Competition, and placed well at the American Harp Society National Competition in 2019 and 2021. She's currently studying at New England Conservatory in Boston. 

Both recalled how they ended up on the path of mastering their respective instruments.

“There was a new lady who came to our church and she played the organ, and that was really the first time I had heard it played like that before," said Marshall. "I was like ‘Oh my goodness, look at her feet! That’s so cool.’ That kind of inspired me, and she ended up being my first teacher.”

“It’s just been a desire that I’ve had for a long time," said Shaylen. "When he started organ lessons, my parents asked me if I wanted to take a second instrument too and I said ‘Sure, let’s do the harp!' I mean, poor them! Once I started it just kept going and I had a great teacher, I got to a few competitions which is great. I think that helped push me into a more performance-based career that I'm aiming for going to New England Conservatory."

Last year, Marshall and Shaylen performed on the NPR program 'From the Top'. If you missed Wednesday's performance at Mechanics Hall, the duo often performs at Heritage Baptist Church in Dover, New Hampshire.