INSPADES MAGAZINE SETTE | Page 74

schools there with so little money there that they have to choose between paying their teachers and paying their power bills. This means kids can only rehearse outside until the sun sets. Music programs are continuously in peril because funding is erratic and it’s hard to find donors who want to donate regularly to keep an established program going. Last year, we were able to raise over $7000 USD in our first ever online fundraiser and were able to make some great donations to the youth in Brazil.” Yeh will also be serving as concertmaster of the Summerhill Orchestra, a brand new symphony orchestra currently establishing itself in the heart of Toronto. First rehearsals begin October 2nd, with their inaugural concert to be held on December 1st, in which they will perform the complete Beethoven Symphony No. 8 and The Carnival of Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns. “This community group is a diverse gathering of musicians that includes full-time professional musicians alongside students, hobbyists and amateurs who have full-time careers outside of music. What excites me most is having met players that have said that they quit music for years (sometimes for decades) and decided to pick it up again. This orchestra has invited them to rediscover the magic of creating music and it’s simply incredible! Having been that person myself, I cannot help but feel awe-inspired,” smiles Yeh. Another thing Yeh is working towards is living more sustainable lifestyle. Having spent a lot of time in meditation to contemplate, grow and to become more aware, Yeh sought 74 inspad