BY JOE MARVILLI Staff Writer
Posted on January 2, 2014
A seven-year-old music prodigy has returned to Queens after a successful tour of China and South Korea.
Justin Yu, a cellist, spent most of December competing and appearing on various programs in the two countries, covering a wide variety of genres in his performance. Using a combination of talent, stage presence and creativity, Justin won the first prize in China’s AiXueAiXiu competition and became the youngest three-time champion in SBS Star King in South Korea.
Justin’s victories should come as no surprise, given his experience. Although he is only in second grade, he has been playing the cello since he was three years old. He was directed towards the instrument by his parents, Julian and Aera. Julian is the director and Aera is the assistant director of the Herald Music School in Flushing. Justin participates in the school’s program and his father puts together the arrangements he plays on the cello.
“I like the sound of the cello. It fits into a boy or man’s character very well,” Julian said.
While Julian’s own musical upbringing placed a stronger emphasis on practice, he encourages his son to think and play creatively and to explore other genres of music rather than restricting himself to classical pieces. Julian thinks these traits helped Justin stand out among the thousands of contestants he competed against in China and South Korea.
Among the songs he performed during the month-long trip were “Libertango” by Astor Piazzolla, the jazz standard “Fly Me To The Moon” and “The Final Countdown” by the classic rock band Europe, the latter of which was accompanied by two guitarists.
Justin even got the chance to show off his dance moves on Hunan TV-Tiantian Xiangshangto to “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis.
- See more at: http://queenstribune.com/cello-prodigy-returns-from-asian-tour/#sthash.63jzkc1c.dpuf
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