VYO Senior Spotlight!
Katherine Yang, violin
South Burlington High School
Joined VYOA in 2011
VYO – 4 years
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYSinfonia – 1 year
What do you love about playing your instrument?
My favorite thing about the violin is its versatility. I love being able to play a wide range of styles and it’s an especially good feeling to master a style and have it sound good.
What has been the most memorable piece that you performed with VYO?
The most memorable piece by far for me is when we played Beethoven’s 9th Symphony a few years ago. I think it was my first year in VYO and that piece had everything: a famous melody, the entire chorus behind us, and four incredible solo singers. It was just amazing being able to play such a well-known piece and it showed me what the orchestra was really capable of.
What is your earliest musical memory?
Strangely enough, my earliest musical memory does not involve a violin, or any instrument for that matter. The memory is from when I was about five years old, and I was singing “This Land is Your Land” and accompanying the very off key notes with enthusiastic hand gestures. And my parents videotaped it. Fortunately for everyone, I took up violin a few years later, which has turned out better than my singing career ever would have.
Who or what has been your most important musical influence?
My current violin teacher, Kathleen Kono, has definitely been the most influential for me. I began studying with her halfway through middle school so she has been the one who has guided me through VYOA, the All-State Orchestra, and the New England Orchestra. With Kathleen, I have seen my improvement over the years and without her constant guidance and encouragement, I know I would not be half the player I was today.
What other sports/groups/activities are you involved in?
Aside from VYO, most of my time is spent running. I’ve run cross country and track on the school team for the past four years which takes up the whole school year. Running has been a big part of my life since before middle school, so it’s something that I really cherish and hope to continue in the future. I am also a captain of my school’s Mathleague team, where we compete throughout the school year with the math teams of other schools.
If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be & why?
I would want to perform with Soovin Kim because he is so talented at what he does seems like a very enthusiastic person. I think that being able to play with him would be a life-changing experience and would help me be a better player.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to attend a four-year university and major in Economics/Mathematics (although the latter is subject to change). I hope to continue playing violin in college and possibly join the orchestra or a chamber group.
