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Metrowest Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concert

By Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer

The Metrowest Young Artist Concert, featuring Hikaru Yonezaki, MSO Young Artist Competition Winner will take place this Sunday, March 27, 2011, at 3:00 PM at Hopkinton High School. Watch the HCAM News video below as MSO Music Director Peter Cokkinias talks about the upcoming concert.

Hikaru Yonezaki, a tenth grader at Newton South High School, began playing the violin at the age of four with the Suzuki method in Japan. Ever since she moved to the United States, she has studied with Fudeko Takahashi.

In 2008, Hikaru was invited to perform Bartok’s Rhapsody No.1 with New Philharmonia Orchestra as a guest soloist under the direction of Ronald Knudson. During the summer of 2010, she and her sister, Mitsuru, performed Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in D minor with them again at the Hatch Shell. She also played with the Newton Symphony Orchestra (2010), New England Conservatory’s Youth Symphony Orchestra (2010) and Youth Repertory Orchestra (2007).

The 2010 to 2011 season marks her third year as a member of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at NEC directed by Benjamin Zander where she serves as the concert mistress. Last June, she joined the American High School Honors Performance Series Orchestra which played at Carnegie Hall. She was a member of the Chanche Quartet which was a finalist at the National Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in 2009. Playing with Yo-Yo Ma at Governor Patrick’s inauguration ceremony was one of her most memorable experiences.

Hikaru won Metrowest Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition in 2010, the Massachusetts division in the Music Teachers National Association Competition in 2009, the NEC concerto competitions in 2009 and 2006, Newton Symphony’s Classical Idol Competition in 2009, and received honorable mentions at New England String Ensemble’s String Concerto Competition in 2006 and Brockton Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Concerto Competition in 2004.

Hikaru is fascinated by foreign languages and she is studying French and Russian at the school. From a young age, she has been interested in Paganini for the virtuosity that shines through his pieces. She also admires Tchaikovsky who has remained her favorite composer. Once reading about Tchaikovsky and relating his pieces to his own life, her passion for his pieces increased in amazement at his depth of his works and his music has always been special to her. Someday, she hopes to be able to read biographies of various composers in their own language.

Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring Hikaru Yonezaki, MSO Young Artist Competition Winner
Niccolo Paganini
Carmen Suite #2
Georges Bizet
Symphonie Fantastique
Hector Berlioz

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