Elizabeth Doe '08

The lights dim. On the stage appear two freshman girls, poised and ready to perform. As the clapping hushes from a roar to a soft rumble, the audience leans forward with anticipation. "What will they play tonight? This is a typical scene when Jennie Kim and Rebecca Yang take the stage at a variety of Deerfield functions and all-school assemblies.

For eight years, violin has been Kim's passion. Through music, she is able to express her feelings and entertain the community with her remarkable performances.

Kim's talent is evidenced not only by her breathtaking concerts, but also by her numerous accomplishments. As a mere seventh grader Kim was to be the assistant concertmistress for the Northeastern Junior District Festival. In eighth grade, she was concert-mistress of the Youth Repertory Orchestra at the New England Conservatory.

Kim is currently first violinist in the Youth Symphony Orchestra at the New England Conservatory where she studies with renowned violinist Fudeko Takahashi. She also makes the time to play in the oboe, violin, viola, cello quartet. Making an immense commitment to music, Kim gives up her Saturdays each week to drive into Boston for orchestra rehearsals. Here at DA, Kim is involved in chamber music and takes lessons regularly.

For Yang, piano plays an integral part of her existence. Though she tried her hand at many hobbies such as ballet, Gymnastics, ice skating, tap dance, and violin, she fell in love with the piano upon her first lesson at age five.

Yang's talent became clear when she won the Tompkins County Music Teachers Association Scholarship in third grade. This exceptional talent became obvious when in fourth grade she won a scholarship from the Ithaca College School of' Music to attend the Ithaca College Summer Piano Institute for serious pianists. At age ten, Yang was the youngest individual ever to attend the program. In sixth grade, Yang was invited to study with piano Professor Phiroze Nlehta at Ithaca College. This marked Professor Mehta's first time working year-round with a non-college student.

Yet another large accomplishment of Yang's was her acceptance into the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp. She was one out of thirty pianists accepted and won the Piano Award twice. Following this camp, she was one of two pianists accepted worldwide into the Interlochen Arts Academy. For three consecutive years, Yang was awarded 1st place in the Annie Stiles Ripley Scholarship Competition.

Similar to Kim, Yang enjoys seeing her music bring happiness to others and often performs at nursing homes, restaurants, and hotels.

The two virtuosos met up this autumn after being placed in the same geometry class. Their friendship was formed through their chamber music group and love of running. It is not uncommon to see the two jogging the small loop together or walking around campus before settling in a practice room for a session of music making.

"[Rebecca Yang and Jennie Kim] are two of the most talented freshmen I've ever seen," Fine Arts Teacher Orlando Pandolfi stated. Kim and Yang are planning on producing an album to fundraise for the Academy's music department this spring. For those of us fortunate enough to see Kim and Yang in their performances thus far at school meeting, the Parents' Weekend arts showcase, or the chamber music concert, it is clear how lucky Deerfield is to have such unmistakably talented individuals.