Happy (incredibly belated) New Year!
Dear Friends,
2017 flew by…literally. Wait, 2017 was ages ago. You're probably asking why I am posting this in March, right? 🤔
Two reasons. One, there are technically two New Years — the Western holiday that takes place on January 1, which makes this post extremely late. But, then there's the Lunar New Year (Happy Year of the Dog!), which was on February 16, so that technically means, I'm late...but I can at least redeem myself because it was only 3 weeks ago. Clever, I know. I also figure my well-wishes are better late than never and everyone deserves to be shown gratitude. For those of you who didn't receive my well-wishes through my newsletter, this one is for you.
In 12 months, Vincenzo (my cello) and I had the pleasure of traveling and performing in 32 cities, 11 States, 7 countries, and 3 continents. Not only did we make countless memories and explore new musical languages, we also made empowering friendships, excitedly mentored the next generation of young artists, engaged in very thought-provoking and inspiring conversations about the future of the arts, and explored different cultures through exquisite culinary delights — all through music.
Your presence and support have been overwhelming, thank you. As we fly through 2018, I wish you great health, bountiful waves of music, and happiness with loved ones!
With love and gratitude,
“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”
A Year to Remember
En route to Europe
A masterclass at the Lyra Music Festival at Smith College with great young musicians
One of 2017's most heart-racing moments when my bridge snapped in two just hours before a concert at San Diego's Conrad Prebys Music Center! Luckily, all was fixed!
The Formosa Quartet performing Chausson Concerto with incredible musicians Cho-Liang Lin and Orion Weiss at NYO Canada
Vincenzo resting backstage before my concert at Taipei's Eslite Performance Hall
Mouthwatering peaches and nectarines at Santa Monica's farmers market
Haydn Concerto after a weeklong educational collaboration with Eastern Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra
A quiet 5:30am breakfast with Vincenzo. Red dragon fruit scooped right out of its shell and coffee while watching Jakarta slowly wake up. Jet lag has its benefits ☕️ 😴
Delectable jumbo crabs while on a Formosa tour in Maryland 🦀 🦀 🦀
Reunited in NY with my furry sidekick Baci!
Mushrooms...one of my favorites!
Michigan Cello Festival — what could be a more beautiful sight than a sea of young cellists excited to make music?
Bach at Southampton Strings Festival on a beautiful Guadagnini
With longtime duo partner Misha Namirovsky and brilliant Artistic Directors of Belgium's Domusica Foundation, Chantal Despot and Danielle Llewellyn, after a memorable recital in Brussels
A DREAM returning to my childhood summer home the Perlman Music Program as guest-faculty.
Enjoying spring on the inside and winter on the outside while on a Formosa Quartet tour in Vermont
Formosa Quartet's Indonesian debut at Aula Simfornia Jakarta
Formosa Quartet in Chicago after recording our upcoming album "From Hungary to Taiwan" with Grammy award-winning engineer Chris Willis and producer extraordinaire Clancy Newman
An unforgettable birthday surprise at Cornell University's 10th anniversary of Mayfest!
A touching moment with a high school student in Augusta, Georgia after an outreach concert
Breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains in Kelowna, British Columbia
A bounty of green at the San Francisco farmers market!
Backstage with a bubbling bunch of young musicians after my performance at the Hualien Cultural Center in Taiwan!