PROVO — Eleven talented Utah students are headed to an adventure in China this month. They leave May 25.
Known as the Utah Young Pianists, they'll perform in four major cities in multiple concerts and on multiple pianos in China. Their trip will include performing at two of the country's most prestigious music conservatories, recitals in several major concert halls, and numerous exchange activities with the local arts organizations.
They've been prepping for the tour since last June, practicing ensemble numbers together (no small feat since it involved getting four students together from Springville to Bear Lake each week for each ensemble) and putting together the $2,000 each would need to pay for the trip.
Kalotini Latu, a private piano instructor, spearheaded the effort and introduced the idea to the families.
As word spread, invitations and opportunities to perform have proliferated.
Paul Pollei, member of the American Piano Quartet and founder of the International Gina Bachauer Competition, invited the quartets to play in an upcoming concert in Brigham Young University's DeJong Concert Hall. He also invited the groups to play in a master class the American Piano Quartet was giving for the Salt Lake chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.
Most recently, during a set of concerts at Thanksgiving Points' Tulip Festival, parents and siblings took the stage during the concert. Dayne's Music had provided two concert grand Steinways for the event. The instruments were placed in the gardens on an uncovered stage.
While providing for a breathtaking photo op (the pianos were directly in front of some amazing waterfalls), the setting offered no protection from the weather. During the concerts, a light rain began to fall, and parents jumped up to hold a large piece of plastic over the pianos. Parents and siblings stood thus for over an hour, with arms over their heads.
Utah County participants in the China tour include: Jim Lu, Ree Lu, Victor Yu, Kenton Young, Laurie Haupt, Kika Latu, Haley Hansen, Alexandra Taylor, Sienna Bussio, Elise Jackson and Patricia Jarrett.
For more information or to help the group pay for the trip, contact Colette Hansen at 735-3925.
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com