Emily Wang receives prestigious YoungArts Award
Central Valley. The Monroe-Woodbury High School senior has been recognized for her caliber of artistic achievement on the piano.
| 14 Dec 2020 | 11:52
Emily Wang
Emily Wang of Central Valley, a senior at Monroe-Woodbury High School, has received a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) award in Classical Music: Piano.
Wang has been recognized at the Merit level, the organization’s third highest honor, for her caliber of artistic achievement and joins 659 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
Wang was selected by a discipline-specific panel of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.
YoungArts award-winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States in which they will have opportunities for financial, creative and professional development support throughout their entire careers.
“YoungArts empowers artists to pursue a life in the arts beginning at the critical time when many are faced with decisions about life after high school,” said Executive Director Jewel Malone. “This group of extraordinary artists has reminded us yet again that extraordinary artistry is ageless. This is just the start of YoungArts’ commitment to supporting your careers, we look forward to working with you and supporting your artistic and professional development.”
Wang will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to learn from leading artists such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas.
Wang is now also eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support including a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards; virtual and in-person presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues nationwide; additional financial support; and access to YoungArts Post, a free, private digital network for YoungArts artists to connect, collaborate and learn about additional opportunities.
In her own words
The Photo News asked Emily Wang what her favorite piece of music was to perform. Here’s her reply:
“My favorite piece I’ve ever performed was Etude Op. 10 No. 4 by Chopin. It was always a dream piece of mine and when I got to practice and dissect it, I was having tons of fun with it. I love sharing it with people or playing it in front of an audience because the piece has such great energy that it even captivates people who aren’t into classical music. I think one of the most important things about classical music is having fun with it, this piece definitely accomplishes that mission.”
Wang hopes to major in business/economics with a major/minor in music performance, specifically piano, in college.