East Asian students join top Welsh orchestra

Two Chinese violin and viola players have been picked to join a prestigious Welsh orchestra in January.

Yu Yue from Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Sun Yu-Mien from Taipei, Taiwan, are students at the Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University. Alongside double-bassist Daniel Vassallo, they have been invited to perform with Sinfonia Cymru as freelance musicians.

Second year student Yu Yue, 19, told China Daily: "It is a great achievement, I've been playing the viola for around eight years. There are so many talented players already with Sinfonia Cymru and I cannot wait to start the first project with them. It will be a great learning experience."

Sun, 22, has been playing the violin since she was 6 and moved to the UK from Taiwan with her family 10 years ago.

Sun said: "This is very exciting. It will be my first professional gig in an orchestra."

The three Birmingham music students were chosen from 150 people who auditioned across the UK and will join a small group of new performers at the Sinfonia.

The Sinfonia Cymru specialised in taking on young professional musicians at the beginning of their careers. Founded in 1996, it is based in Cardif and as an orchestra specializes in chamber music, is sponsored by the Arts Council of Wales, a government-funded body.

Sun added: "It was a 10 minute audition and I did not feel nervous at all. The audition was on my birthday and I thought at the time, if I don't get picked then it was a good experience and if I do get through, then that would be a nice birthday present."

Sun, who is in her final year at Birmingham said: "This opportunity is a great boost to my career, by playing with the professionals and expanding my musical network."

The third member of the group, Birmingham Conservatoire double-bass student Vassallo, follows in the musical footsteps of his father, Eduardo Vassallo, who is Principal Cellist of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

James Thomas, artistic director of Sinfonia Cymru said: "Every year, Sinfonia Cymru produces a diverse programme of orchestral, chamber music, education and community activities. We look forward to inviting these young talented players to work with us on a variety of projects in the near feature."

Yu Yue, student at the Birmingham Conservatoire, has been picked to join a prestigious Welsh orchestra. [Photo provided to China Daily]