Violin Concerto with Celia Cheung

Celia Cheung, 17, has been playing the violin for 8 years. At the age of 5, she began her musical studies on the piano and later switched to the violin. She studied with Gail and Art Peterson, and is currently under the tutelage of Debbra Schwartz. Before joining OYO, she was in the Diablo Regional Youth Orchestra and Berkeley Youth Orchestra. In 2007, Celia served as the 2nd violins principal in OYO, and became concertmaster in 2009. She won 1st place in the Senior Division, 2010 Young Artist Competition of the Contra Costa String Association.

Celia began her chamber performances in Dean Lesher Center in 2004. She was greatly enriched by the chamber group experiences at BYO, Summer Music Berkeley, and Youth Music International. She tremendously enjoyed performing in various community events, including the fundraiser for the Oakland Cathedral Legal Justice Center, benefit concert for Mark Zheng Dong, Handel’s Messiah choral groups, and church conferences.

Another passion of Celia is caring for animals. She was previously a Senior Interpretive Guide at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum and is currently a wildlife hospital volunteer. As a senior at Fortress Hill Academy, Celia enjoys biology and physics the most. She has also been serving as the librarian of Berkeley Youth Orchestra throughout her high school. In her spare time, she enjoys pinning butterflies, wood burning, and beading design.

Celia would like to thank Gail Peterson and Erika Miranda for teaching her viola, which she played at the Youth Music International and with which she led a viola group at the Junior Bach competition. Celia is also grateful for Jay Lehmann, who enlightened her to appreciate the structure of orchestral music. Finally, Celia would like to thank Debbra Schwartz for selflessly teaching her all of the dream pieces on her wish list.