PBS Wisconsin Music & Arts

Angela

On February 26th, four gifted young musicians will take center stage here at Overture Hall in Madison. They're vying for top honors in the Madison Symphony Orchestra's Bolz Young Artist Competition.

They are

violinist Emily Hauer, pianist Jessica Jiang, violinist Jonah Kartman, and pianist Michael Wu. You'll see them perform as part of our live broadcast,

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete

The Final Forte. But before they step into the spotlight, we've asked them to tell us a little about themselves... Their passion for music, and the journey that brought them here, to this stage. My name is Michael Wu. I'm a senior at Sun Prairie High School. I started playing the piano at around age five and a half. My mother and father weren't musical, but my maternal grandfather was actually very musical. He played accordion. When I was young, I remember looking into a piano and my cousin had an upright. While he was playing, I saw like all the action of the keys hitting the strings. And I was just fascinated even by the mechanism. My piano teacher is Bill Lutes. We work on a lot of different things. Ideas on phrasing, ideas on shaping, articulation. I look forward to every single lesson, because he really is just such a, not only knowledgeable, but very kindhearted, individual.

laughing

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete

The first time I did this, I was a freshman in high school. And that was just an incredible experience. It changed the way that I looked at music. One of the best things I think about that experience is, kids walk up to you and they say, "Oh, I saw you on that broadcast." And, you know, "I wish I could play like you." Seeing my community be so inspired by my playing, it just really encourages me to deliver more. I mentor students in my free time. We work on fundamentals of technique. But I think one of the biggest things that I try to build within them is really a deep appreciation for music of all forms. I also play the clarinet in my high school's wind ensemble. I take a leadership role in that ensemble. I really enjoy it because you get to interact with so many other musicians. You learn certain skills running sectionals and making sure that everyone has a voice. "Totentanz," it's a hugely technical, very virtuosic piece. Liszt brings out so many different sides of what it means to die. It's such a creative piece. My first time onstage, I remember I was so nervous. But nowadays, I'm more comfortable. I've matured a lot musically. And through experiences like wind ensemble and through teaching students, it's really helped me develop as not only a musician, but as a person.

applause