Alex travels to Miami at the invitation of renowned prodigy-hunter Giselle Brodsky, who runs the Miami International Piano Festival. Giselle has selected five of America's most gifted young musicians, who have flown in from all corners of the States to audition for Alex.

Among the children are two violinists: Simone, a 12-year-old Harry Potter fanatic, and Michael, a charismatic 13-year-old who hates practising and would rather be playing basketball or dancing to hip hop.

Two cellists are also in the running: 15-year-old Nathan, whose prodigious abilities were first realised when he was spotted air-conducting aged just three; and 16-year-old Oliver, whose family live in seclusion on an isolated island off Seattle and who has cello lessons by video-link over the internet.

The fifth musician is Anna, a 12-year-old harpist who has been playing for just three years but whose phenomenal aptitude and passion for the instrument have fuelled her swift progression.

Ida Haendel, the legendary violinist, who was herself a celebrated child prodigy, will assist Alex and Giselle in the selection process which culminates in a public recital in front of an audience of 500 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

But it is Alex alone who faces the difficult task of deciding which musicians to choose, before breaking the news to all the children.