Hwa-Yin and Me 

Lisha Duan

I’ve been both a member of Hwa-Yin Youth Chorale and an accompanist for more than five years. The first time joining, as a middle school student, I didn’t know what the program was about nor was I close with anyone there. But these few years have passed, and the experience and memories gained at Hwa-Yin are ones that are simply irreplaceable.

As a choir member in school, I never had any private singing lessons or any extra training except for the Sunday rehearsals at Hwa-Yin. Even though this community choir possesses so much talent and passion, the weekly rehearsals are still so enjoyable and fun that they keep you coming back. With the training under Mrs. Chung, I’ve grown as a pianist, singer, and as a person in general. She’s been able to open doors that I would have never been able to find myself such as singing in extraordinary venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Hall. The only reason I can call myself a former Regional, All-State, All-Eastern, and even All-National choir member is because of those opportunities Hwa-yin and Mrs. Chung have blessed me with.

Tiffany Liang

I joined Hwa-Yin in ninth grade, and immediately, I felt a sense of enthusiasm and pride for being a part of something greater than myself. We were a group of talented young singers, friendly and hard-working.

Over the years, I have made many friends, sung many voice parts, and auditioned for numerous honor choirs; I have sung with Yue-Yue, gotten into Honor choir, and sung for Regionals.

Hwa-Yin has taught me how to be flexible, to work hard, and to become more versatile as both a singer and a person. To say that both my life and myself would be different had I not joined Hwa-Yin would not be an understatement.

Jonathan Weng

My name is Jonathan Weng.  I am 17 years old and a junior in Montclair Kimberley Academy.  I started Hwa Yin Youth Choir in the 3rd grade.  Being a member of Hwa Yin has expanded my knowledge of singing in many ways. With the help of Hwa Yin I was successful in being accepted to the New Jersey High Honor Chorale for 3 three years straight.  I am grateful for the wonderful support that Hwa Yin has given to me.

I am currently in my school's master singers group.  This group consists of handpicked students that has gone through auditions.  WIthout the help of Mrs. Chung, the conductor of Hwa Yin Youth Choir,  I would not have been accepted, let alone go audition.  Mrs. Chung radiates amazing support to her students, giving them the best advice for their music capabilities.  WIth such an amazing conductor  and a supportive group of parents, Hwa Yin makes everyone feel like family.

Kalvin Foo 

Looking back at my years in Hwa-Yin, the only way to share how great the experiences were is by separating them into the musical and social ones. When I joined in seventh grade, I had no prior vocal experience, and to tell the truth, it was more of my parents’ suggestion that I join. I had neither interest in singing nor being part of a choir, but these quickly came to change. Seeing all of the older kids and their enthusiasm for learning songs from numerous cultures and of different languages piqued my interest, and my appreciation for choral music began growing quickly. In terms of singing, Hwa-Yin was the starting point for my probably most annoying habit of never-ending singing. Just ask my brother. In other words, it proved to be the start of a life-long hobby that’s shaped how I am as a musician, and I still sing today in my college acapella group.

Asides from a love for singing, Hwa-Yin is the means by which I met my closest friends. These are my friends who I’ve been with from countless mall excursions, trips to New York, Hwa-Yin Potlucks/ Vienna Reunions, or just the million hangouts at the Vance house. In fact, these are the friends that I would say I’ve grown up the most with. From getting called out by laoshi for talking in rehearsal to the last one of us to our graduation speeches, there are simply countless memories that stem from our meeting in Hwa-Yin. I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s no better place to start a friendship than at a Hwa-Yin event, whether rehearsal or barbeque. If you’re as lucky as me, you might make your best friends.

To sum everything I’ve said in a few words, Hwa-Yin youth chorale has been integral to part of who I am and will be for life. It started me singing and made me my best friends who I’ll be close with forever, and because of that it’s the source of some of my sweetest memories and many more to come.