In the Spotlight

KBAQ Production Studio
Launches "Encounters  With Young Musicians"

More than 200 K-6 students at Tempe Pappas School recently enjoyed classical music performances by Joanna Yang, a sophomore at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix. Yang's appearance was the first in a new series of programs called "Encounters with Young Musicians" developed by the KBAQ Production Studio, a part of KAET-TV/Channel 8 , to help address the need for increased music education in schools. Yang, who started studying piano at age six and violin at age ten, is first violinist in a string quartet that performs in the community.

"The peer-to-peer concept serves several purposes," said Margaret Morgan, KBAQ Production Studio manager. "It gives the students exposure to classical music on a level they can identify with while giving talented young musicians a chance to perform and hone their skills. By sharing their enthusiasm for music, the young performers are serving as ambassadors for their art form."

At the Tempe Pappas School, Yang described the parts of her violin and bow and demonstrated different techniques of string playing. She played several selections, including a movement from a violin piece by J.S. Bach, and talked about the composer and the music. She also explained the role of violins in chamber groups such as string quartets.

Joanna Yang studies piano, her main instrument, with Arizona State University School of Music piano professor Hamilton Tescarollo. She is an active participant in competitions and was co-winner of the 2004 Desert Foothills Musicfest Young Musicians Competition. The KBAQ Production Studio has recorded her in performance for broadcast on KBAQ 89.5 FM.

The KBAQ Production Studio began recording concerts on the ASU campus in 1993 and was soon recording around the Valley and throughout Arizona. Since then they have recorded more than 100 concerts a year from dozens of presenting organizations for broadcast on KBAQ 89.5 FM.   KBAQ Production Studio is part of a partnership with Arizona State University and the Maricopa Community College.

Profiles
Find out what's happening with our Encounters with Young Musicians participants. Check back often, we'll keep you posted.

Joanna Yang was recently awarded a full scholarship to Interlochen Summer Music Camp in Michigan with Phoenix Symphony Guild 2006 Competition. She placed first in the senior piano division January 7, 2006, then third place among all 15 winners again on January 8 in the Guild's schoalrship auditions. Congratulations to Joanna.