Pianist featured on National Public Radio
Tiffany Cheung '11
Related Content
Kaitrin Tobin
February 26, 2010
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Top Stories
A junior, Tiffany Cheung was selected from her audition tape to play on From the Top, a show that features young classical musicians in the nation. Tiffany’s performance aired on NPR at 10 a.m. Hawaii Time on Saturday, Feb. 27. Tiffany began playing when she was six years old. This decision came from an unlikely source: children’s television.
“When I watched Barney, I would sing and dance with it right on the beat, so my mother decided to sign me up for piano.” In order to improve her skills as a pianist, Tiffany practices one hour a day during the week, and three to five hours a day when she has more time. The first piece she ever played was Minuet in G.
Since that piece, Tiffany has played significantly more advanced pieces, which led her to audition for From the Top. Tiffany had auditioned for From the Top six times prior, however she felt that her last audition was different.
“I knew the result would be different, because it was the best tape I ever sent it.” Tiffany was overjoyed when she found out she had been selected to perform on From the Top. The same day Tiffany found out that she had been selected was also her birthday. She also learned she was the recipient of a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, a $10,000 award given to a promising young musician.
“It’s not every day you get $10,000 for your birthday,” she said.
Tiffany’s parents and her piano teacher, Dr. Thomas Yee, were also thrilled. Tiffany said that there were two people who had been an inspiration to her. First was her second piano teacher, Ellen Masaki, who recently died. Second was her neighbor Mrs. Wong, who let Tiffany use the piano in her apartment since Tiffany’s family could not afford one.
In addition to her talent in piano, Tiffany is also an accomplished violinist who is currently in Orchestra V. When she attends college, she would like to have a major in piano performance, but her ultimate goal is to become a doctor. However, despite her not inconsiderable talents, Tiffany has gone through rough patches before. Tiffany said that the most difficult time for her was ninth grade. She attributed this difficulty to a time of growth. “I think to be a good piano player, you need time to grow up and mature.”
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring piano players she simply answered, “Don’t give up.”
Loading ...