In case you haven’t heard, San Diego Youth Symphony is touring China this summer! The Beijing concert will be at the Forbidden City Concert Hall, home of the China Philharmonic, as the kickoff to its annual summer youth music festival. In Yantai, we will perform two concerts at the invitation of the local government to deepen ties between our two cities. Shanghai’s performance will be in the amazing Oriental Arts Center on July 4th and serve as the culmination of the tour. In the first part of our China Tour Interview Series, we spoke with current SDYS Concertmistress (2014-15), Flora Li, to see what she is looking forward to, her love for music and future plans.
What are you most excited about for the SDYS China Tour this summer?
I am most excited to experience the culture of China as well as perform in some of the country’s largest concert halls. The China Tour will be my first time touring with a musical group, so I am extremely excited for this new opportunity. The last time I visited China was over 5 years ago, I look forward to being able to see all the change that has happened since then. It’s a very beautiful country.
What are you hoping to take away from the tour?
I’m hoping to be able to learn more about the musical culture of China and take away many memories of the beautiful sights on our tour.
What do you love about music?
I love music because it is a way for me to express my feelings freely. I have been involved in musical activities for over half of my life, and it has become a part of me.
What are your future plans?
I was accepted into Harvard University last December and will attend in the fall. I am looking to audition for the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra as well as take music classes at Harvard.
