Written by Katherine Wang (Class of 2024)
Photos by Mr. Stan Shoptaugh and Erica Lai (Class of 2024)

Spirits were high on the evening of May 12, 2023, as audience members waited with excitement for the show to start and performers prepared eagerly backstage. They had practiced their skills for months in anticipation for the Ukiah Youth Concert, held at the Mendocino College Center Theatre and featuring international musicians from Dharma Realm Buddhist University, Developing Virtue Girls School, Ukiah High School, and Ukiah Junior Academy. Led by teachers Sophie Wu, Wenbo Yin, Elizabeth MacDougall, Margie Rice, Audrey McCombs, and Julie An, students had prepared solo and ensemble pieces, in both dance and musical art forms, to bring joy and goodwill to the greater Ukiah community.

Bishnu Batta, a DRBU student, started off the evening performing “Lok Shanti Dhoon (World Peace Melody)” on the bansuri, followed by Hailey Tran (Class of 2024) from DVGS performing a breathtaking, self-choreographed dance to “Flowing Light (浮光).”

Next, the Ukiah Junior Academy Advanced Strings Group, led by Ms. Rice, performed the “Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043.” After the bright sound of the violins and cellos died down, Celina Li (Class of 2025) continued the program with “Grande Valse Brillante Op. 18 in E Flat Major” on the piano. Another student of Ms. MacDougall, Joseph Collins, followed with “Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331: III. Rondo Alla Turca: Allegretto.”

Transforming the atmosphere of the recital, the Ukiah High Jazz Band, led by Ms. McCombs, performed “Watermelon Man” and “The Jody Grind,” to much applause from the audience. Cherry Ngo (Class of 2024) then performed an exciting rendition of “Smooth Operator” on the saxophone, followed by Josette Mealey (Class of 2027) singing “Jump Up Superstar” from the much-beloved Super Mario Odyssey, both accompanied by percussionist Robin Zickel and bassist Karen Zimmerman. The first portion of the concert then concluded with a thrilling performance by the DVGS dance group, guided by teacher Ms. An, to the tune of “This Is Me.”

After the intermission, during which audience members and performers alike had the opportunity to mingle and buy some snacks, the second portion of the concert commenced with the Wondrous Sound Choir led by Ms. Wu, performing “Verses for Students (弟子規)” and “If Tomorrow Were the Next Life (如果明天就是下一生).” Following, Katrina Hu (Class of 2025) and Celina Li performed a beautiful piece called “Luan Hong (亂紅)” on the Chinese flute and piano, respectively. Amy Liu (Class of 2023), on the sheng, then performed an impressive rendition of “Rice Harvest in a Mountain Village (山鄉喜開豐收鐮).”

Dr. Yin, an award-winning classical and jazz saxophonist and member of the DRBU community, then performed “Scaramouche Op. 165,” accompanied by concert pianist Ms. MacDougall. Following them was Spencer Brewer, a famous composer and pianist, who performed two self-composed pieces titled “Behind the Veil” and “Blue Northern.” After being received with thunderous applause, Alex de Grassi, a Grammy-nominated guitarist, concluded the program by performing “Cumulus Rising,” “Black Orpheus,” and “Spain,” the latter two of which was joined by Dr. Yin on the saxophone and Mr. Zickel with percussion.

The 2023 Ukiah Youth Concert perfectly encompassed all the hard work of the performers, both young and old, and paved the way for a more integrated youth music community in Ukiah. Special thanks to Ms. Wu and Dr. Yin for organizing this concert, Ms. McCombs, Ms. Rice, and Ms. An for mentoring and guiding the students, and Jin Jr Shr and the other teachers for their endless support. We would also like to thank our professional guests Mr. Brewer, Ms. MacDougall, and Mr. de Grassi for inspiring the audience and performers alike, as well as all the ushers and stagehands for their invaluable help. Lastly, thank you to the DRBU Music Program, the IGDVS Music Department, and all the performers and audience members for making this amazing concert possible! Your endless support is always an inspiration, and we hope to see you next year!