BBSG Students Shine with Steinway Artist

A Symphony of Cultures

Led by Ms. Carol Yu, the concert featured an array of outstanding musicians, including prizewinners from the PREMIA International Young Artists Music Festival Carnegie Hall Tour, young musicians from the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra (GSYO) and Panyu Bangjiangdong Primary School.

Recognised as the "5th Generation Chopin Lineage" and "5th Generation Liszt Lineage," Ms. Yu has graced some of the world's most prestigious musical stages. Praised by The Times UK for her "excellent, positive work at the piano," she served as Artistic Director and Principal Pianist for the Hong Kong SAR 10th Anniversary celebration concert.

Under her baton, the nearly two-hour concert flowed with melodious rhythms, presenting the audience with an immersive musical experience that transcended time, region, and culture.

Angel H from Grade 6 took the stage with a captivating piano solo. As a recipient of BBSG's music scholarship, she performed "The Storm Op. 109 No.13" and "Agitato Op. 109 No.8" with unwavering confidence.

“With the last ending note, I knew I achieved this. I've always been a performer at heart, and the moment I stepped on stage, I was filled with excitement and truly enjoyed the experience. I'm grateful for this rare opportunity, and I look forward to sharing the stage with young musicians in Hong Kong soon."

—— Angel H, G6

Michelle C from Grade 6 chose to showcase the unique charm of traditional Chinese music by performing the folk-inspired piece "The Night of the Torch Festival" on the Chinese instrument Ruan. Her captivating performance not only delighted the audience but also demonstrated the BBSG students' confidence in promoting traditional culture on the international stage.

Behind the Music: 

Exclusive Masterclasses with Steinway Artist

Their exceptional stage presence was the result of their solid musical foundations and the exclusive "one-on-one master classes" they had with Ms. Yu. In the weeks leading up to the performance, Ms. Yu dedicated her time to personalized coaching sessions with each student, helping them prepare for the highly anticipated showcase.

During the individual sessions, Ms. Yu not only provided guidance on important technical details but also demonstrated how to capture the rhythm, dynamics, and emotional expressions of each piece. Toward the end of the classes, she instructed the students to adjust their posture and practice their bows gracefully, emphasising that every detail contributes to the performance.

After the concert, Michelle C reflected on the transformative impact of the exclusive master class: 

"When I was practicing the piece, it felt a bit stiff. Even though I could play it, the dynamics, accuracy, and emotional expression weren't quite there. However, during the session, Ms. Yu taught me to visualize the scenes from the music to better interpret the changes and emotions. I can tell the performance became much more fluid and felt like a complete artistic expression.”

—— Michelle C, G6

As the first school in the Education Hub project, BBSG has assembled a wealth of exclusive resources to provide students with invaluable opportunities to showcase their talents on a broader stage. We are proud to see our students embodying BBSG's core value of "Courage," presenting their talents in this musical exchange among the youth of the Greater Bay Area. These precious experiences will undoubtedly continue to inspire them to confidently forge ahead in their musical journeys, taking the stage on even grander international platforms.