Alum Kevin Song organized a band of From the Top alums who were all in the National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO) last summer. For today’s Daily Joy, they virtually collaborated to perform an excerpt of Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila.
Irvine, California Kevin appeared on Show 371 in La Jolla, California on April 13, 2019.
Kevin Song (cello), 16, lives in San Diego, California and attends Torrey Pines High School. He currently studies with Ms. Sarah Koo Freeman. At age 9, he made his solo concert debut performing David Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody with the Fullerton College Orchestra. Since then, he has appeared in venues around the world including Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, and Russia. In 2016, Kevin was featured as a soloist on From the Top. Kevin is an assistant principal cellist in the San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS) and the 2018-19 winner of the SDYS Ovation Concerto Competition, and will perform as a soloist with SDYS in June 2019. This summer, he has been invited to join the National Youth Orchestra of the United States. In his free time, Kevin teaches cello to individuals with special needs, folds origami, and enjoys time with his family and friends.
Kevin performed on Show 331 in Honolulu, HI, on December 2, 2016, and his bio for that show is as follows:
Kevin Song , 13, is from Irvine, California, and attends Sierra Vista Middle School and studies cello with Sarah Koo. He was the American String Teacher Association solo finalist for 2013, and performed for the Irvine Unified School District Board Presentation for Excellence in Education Enrichment as a result. He also placed first in the Los Angeles Violincello Society competition, and participated in a master class with Ralph Kirshbaum. In his free time, he likes to play Pokémon, fold origami, tinker with small machines, and read up on Greek mythology.
The NYO-USA performed most recently on Show 343 recorded on July 19, 2017 as well as on Show 293, recorded July 2014.
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together 120 of the brightest young players from across the country to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. Following a two-week training residency with leading professional orchestra musicians, these remarkable teenagers not only have the opportunity to play on the famed stage of Carnegie Hall but also embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world, while serving as dynamic musical ambassadors. Meet the 2014 Orchestra.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
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