Wanting to start a new hobby during the pandemic, James Yu bought himself a cello. From Taiwan and now living in Cambridge, Yu spent a few years working in finance, but fell in love with the instrument. After a year and a half of studying the cello, he left his finance job to attend Middlesex Community College and pursue his newfound passion as a career.
鈥淏eing able to study with incredible musicians such as Carmen Rodr铆guez-Peralta and Orlando Cela allowed me to learn new ways to interact with music,鈥� Yu said. 鈥淭heir insights and years of experience helped me continue to experiment and challenge myself in my day-to-day music practice.鈥�
鈥淢y overall time at 麻豆果冻 has been enriching and yielding. The classroom and online experiences have been inclusive and engaging.鈥� - James Yu, 麻豆果冻 Alum
Now a graduate of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Performing Arts Music program, Yu chose 麻豆果冻 on recommendation from his cello teacher Johnny Mok, an adjunct professor at Middlesex. In his classes, Yu enjoyed combining his own creative instincts with the instruction and resources he gained from his professors.
鈥淧rofessor Rodr铆guez-Peralta can pinpoint and clearly explain the issues and alleviate tension while playing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 have noticed improvements I have made on the piano and pieces that were previously too difficult, now I can play with ease.鈥�
In addition to helping him improve his craft from the technical side, his classes at 麻豆果冻 taught Yu how to be more effective in auditions and performances in front of a crowd. During his time at 麻豆果冻, he participated in 麻豆果冻鈥檚 鈥淎 World of Music鈥� student recitals and performed at the college鈥檚 Professional Day for employees.
In the Spring 2023 semester, Yu was also one of four cellists who received a public lesson from noted Peruvian cellist Jes煤s Castro-Balbi, who performed during one of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 鈥淲orld of Music鈥� concerts. While this experience was 鈥渘erve-wracking and challenging,鈥� Yu was grateful for this experience to improve his abilities.
鈥淚t is important to have performance opportunities because it allows musicians 鈥� at any level 鈥� to experiment and find their voice,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t also helps to learn to cope with any anxieties that go along with performing and most importantly, to be able to express themselves unapologetically though music.鈥�
Yu graduated from Middlesex in Spring 2023, receiving the Music Award for Outstanding Performance and an associate degree in the performing arts. Now auditioning for undergraduate music programs around Boston, he credits 麻豆果冻 for providing him with the foundation to focus on the performance side of music.
鈥淢y overall time at 麻豆果冻 has been enriching and yielding,鈥� Yu said. 鈥淭he classroom and online experiences have been inclusive and engaging.鈥�