PARADISE — The Paradise Symphony Orchestra honored two accomplished young women who will get a chance to perform with the full orchestra.
High school freshman Lily Tao of Chico and fifth-grader Raema Symons of Redding won the annual Arlene Harms Young Artist Competition. Winners of the senior division and junior division, respectively, they will take the stage for the orchestra’s April 27 concert at the Paradise Performing Arts Center.
Tao will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, while Symons has chosen Fredrich Seitz’s Violin Concerto No. 5.
This is Tao’s second collaboration with the orchestra. The first was in 2023 when she won the junior division. Tao is grateful to the judges for selecting her as a winner in both categories.
Tao, a freshman at Chico High School, has been playing the piano since she was 4 and sings as well. As reported in this newspaper last month, she organized a concert to honor longtime Chico State Music Professor Robert Bowman, who died in 2023, that raised $1,300 for the restoration of Bidwell Mansion. She played with a group and also sang.
Tao appreciates her longtime piano teacher, Justin McKay, with whom she has studied for 10 years.
Jinsong Zhang, Tao’s mother, said in an email that “Justin has guided her in piano performance, improvisation, and composition, and has also accompanied her for numerous piano duets and vocal performances. His teaching style has always been a perfect fit for Lily, and she truly credits him with playing a significant role in her musical growth and success.”
Tao expressed gratitude for Sylvia Meyer, chair of the Paradise Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition, who she said has been “incredibly supportive.” She also enjoys working with Lloyd Roby, the orchestra director, and Joe Quivey, the concertmaster.
Tao is passionate about serving the community and said she would be “happy to perform, either on piano or as a vocalist, at future events in the area to support local causes.”
Said Zhang: “Every step of her success was built on grit, perseverance and hard work. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Junior winner
Violin skills propelled Symons, 10, to her win in the competition, though she also plays piano.
“I feel happy because this is my first music competition and I won!” she said in an email. “I feel very proud of myself.”
Symons started playing violin in the second grade because there was an elective choice at school.
“My mom thought it would be fun for me to try it. Then I started taking violin lessons in the middle of third grade,” said Symons, who said she practices every day.
She is currently homeschooled through the Redding School of Arts. Her violin teacher is Rebekah Van Tinteren. Her former teacher, Li-Yuan Ho, moved away to North Carolina.
“I’m very proud of Raema,” said her mom, Rusan Symons. “She is diligent about practicing and has grown so much in a short amount of time. She likes to challenge herself and enjoys expressing herself with music.”
Symons’ father, Gabrien Symons, shares that feeling: “I’m so proud of Raema for putting in the effort to practice her performance. I can’t wait to hear her share her beautiful music with everyone!”
visit paradisesymphony.org for more information.
Originally Published:
Source: Paradise Post
