This week we’re starting to learn more about our young talented musicians in the lead up to their Richmond Orchestra concert debut. Read more about their other talents and who musically inspires them!
To learn more about this event please visit: Rising Stars 2017 Event Page
Corina Deng
When did you start playing the violin? And why did you choose this instrument?
I started playing violin at age 3. My mom took me to listen to the symphonies and the soloists perform with the orchestra. I loved all instruments, but violin was my favourite. At that time, I would put all kinds of toys on my shoulder, and pretended that I was playing violin.
Who is your violin teacher? What music school do you attend?
I studied violin with Lawrie Hill and Andrew Dawes. Now my violin teacher is Nicholas Wright at Vancouver Academy of Music.
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
Actually, I like all composers! But if I had to pick, I would pick Vivaldi, Mozart, and Arthur Grumiaux. First, Vivaldi has organs, harpsichord, and I really like the style. Mozart is happy and cheerful, and I especially like the sonatas and concertos. Lastly, Arthur Grumiaux. I really like his playing and his Mozart Sonatas accompanied by Clara Haskil.
Ryan Zhu
When did you start playing the piano? And why did you choose this instrument?
I began studying the piano at the age of four. When I was first introduced to this instrument, I felt a special connection which immediately made me want to pursue it further. It was my feeling that the piano was the instrument for me to learn to understand music better. I felt it then and still feel that the piano has a special place in my heart.
Who is your piano teacher?
I am currently studying with Kenneth Broadway and Ralph Markham.
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
I do not have any three specific people in mind, because since the world is so big, it would be impossible to just choose three over so many others. Each concert artist has their own good traits and bad; no artist is perfect. However a few artists that I hold in awe are:
- Claudio Arrau: Claudio Arrau was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. His musicality and lyric quality move me every time I listen to him. He is a unique artist whose interpretations are always authentic and compelling. He can make the piano sound like thunder or delicate wisps of cloud floating just above the horizon.
- Frederic Chopin: Chopin is a truly Romantic composer whose music can make anyone feel and incredible depth of emotion.
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Beethoven changed the course of music. He introduced the Romantic era to the world of music. His pieces are written with power and anger as well as nobility and passion.
These are only a few of the many, many musical artists that I admire.
Julie Wu
When did you start playing the piano? And why did you choose this instrument?
When I was five, my mom introduced me to piano. I loved rhythms and music back then and it felt relieving hitting those notes that produces sounds
Who is your piano teacher?
My current piano teacher is Dr. Arthur Rowe. He's a great guy!
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
My favorite pianists are Lang Lang, Yujia Wang, and Yundi Li because I feel like their music could easily capture my attention.
Austin Ng
When did you start playing the piano? And why did you choose this instrument?
I started playing the piano when I was 5 years old. I chose the piano because I heard my mom playing one day and I wanted to be as good as her.
Who is your piano teacher?
My piano teacher is Dr Libby Yu.
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
My 3 musical heroes are Mozart, Chopin and Kabalevsky. They are my musical heroes because I really like their unique individual styles of music.
Matthieu Foresi
At what age did you start composing?
My first tries were at the age of six, but I began to compose seriously at nine years old.
Who is your composition teacher?
I study harmony, counterpoint, and composition with Mr. Ryan Trew.
What instruments do you play?
I play the piano since the age of three.
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
I could not quite narrow my six favourite musicians down to three. I have three favourite composers who are Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, and Franz Schubert, and three favourite pianists who include Andras Schiff, Kristian Zimmerman, and Grigory Sokolov.
Bruno Cavalca
At what age did you start composing?
I started composing at age 7, around the same time I started learning the violin. I took a fascination with Beethoven’s symphonies, and wanted to try my hand at writing music as well.
Who is your composition teacher?
I have never had a composition or theory teacher. All of the compositional techniques I’ve learned over the years have been through my own reading, both of scores as well as from orchestration and composition books.
What instruments do you play?
I play the violin, but I also play percussion.
Who are your three musical heroes? Why?
Haha, Naming only three musical heros is extremely difficult, though for the sake of the question I will try. Two of the first are living, Composers John Williams, and John Powell, and the third is the great late romantic/early modern era composer, Richard Strauss.
