We’re proud to share that Fisher Yu, violist and student of Amy Chang, spent this summer with Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 (National Youth Orchestra 2) — and was appointed co-principal viola of the orchestra.
Fisher was one of 89 musicians, ages 14 to 16, selected from across the country for NYO2’s tenth-anniversary season, with players representing 27 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The summer began with a two-week training residency at Purchase College, SUNY, where the musicians worked with leading players from America’s top professional orchestras through one-on-one lessons, sectionals, and masterclasses. Fisher was coached there by Li-Kuo Chang, professor of viola at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and, for thirty-five years, assistant principal viola of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
On Thursday, July 30, the orchestra performed in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage under conductor Mei-Ann Chen, joined by violinist Tessa Lark. The program opened with Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 and Gabriela Lena Frank’s “The Mestizo Waltz,” took in Michael Torke’s Sky — the concerto Torke wrote for Lark — and closed with Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Respighi’s Pines of Rome.
From New York, the orchestra flew to the Dominican Republic for a five-day residency presented by Fundación Sinfonía, performing at the Gran Teatro del Cibao in Santiago on August 2 and the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito in Santo Domingo on August 3. Dominican musicians sat in with the orchestra for selected works on both programs.
A performance at Carnegie Hall and an international tour, in a single summer. Congratulations to Fisher, and to his teacher Ms. Amy Chang.
Fisher began playing the viola at age nine, in fourth grade, and has continued his studies in Ms. Amy’s studio since.
About NYO2
Created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute in 2016, NYO2 brings together outstanding American instrumentalists ages 14–16 for a summer orchestral training program that includes a residency and a performance at Carnegie Hall, followed by tour performances. Like all three of Carnegie Hall’s national youth ensembles, it is offered free of charge to every musician selected.
About William Pu Music Academy
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA and previous student achievements at wpmusicacademy.com.
