Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all we have to be grateful for. BMC Board members wish you a safe holiday, and hope you find joyful ways to connect with your loved ones. And as always, we cherish your fellowship as we walk together toward better days.
And, with that spirit, we offer our latest installment of BMC Connects!, our series about the talented students who have benefited from our music awards and your generous support. Today, we want to catch up with William Zhang, who captured so much attention when he participated in our High School Piano Competitions between 2015 and 2018, winning three times. William also performed in BMC’s Young Musicians of Whatcom County showcase concert.
During his high school years, William studied piano with Dr. Judith Widrig and composition with Dr. Roger Briggs, at WWU. In the summer months, he participated in WWU’s Chamber Music Days summer camp, described by William as “inspiring.”
A few short years later, William has begun his very challenging Junior year at Brown University in Rhode Island, majoring in applied mathematics and computer science. At the same time, he continues to devote himself to his music studies, and with boundless energy, remains an avid tennis player, too!
William’s family, who now lives in Seattle, provided recent updates. His mother said that Brown’s academic demands and the challenges of remote learning have caused William to suspend his performance activities, for now. But he is anxious to return to his piano studies when the campus reopens.
Which brings us to their BMC Connects! gift to you. William provided a beautiful musical update, in the form of two remarkable performances as soloist and collaborative pianist from his initial year at Brown!
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49. 2nd movement: Andante con moto tranquillo
Liszt: 3 Concert Etudes, S.144, R.5. #3 in D-flat (‘Un sospiro’)
You can be proud that your BMC support nurtures such exemplary young people! William is part of a rising, multi-faceted generation that pursues excellence on many fronts. And just as music has played a major role in his upbringing, it will remain an important part of his life as he goes on a successful scientific career.