About

The Full Story

As a musician’s son, I had been listening to Bach’s Cello Suites before I physically knew how to play the cello. I started playing piano and cello when I was 5, but never felt deeply connected with the music–it was something I had to do every day to keep my mom happy. When I was 13, I decided to start learning the double bass, and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to perform the Koussevitzky Concerto with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra when I was 14 years old. I performed at the LPO family concert, and the moment I brought my bass onstage, hundreds of kids started cheering; I realized the impact that music can have on all audiences–these kids didn’t know or care what piece I played, yet they sat there, eagerly listening to every note I play, even on such an unconventional and uncommon solo instrument. 

I attended Phillips Academy when I was 15, after spending 10 years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to study with my mom’s former teacher, Lawrence Wolfe (Assistant Principal Bassist of Boston Symphony), and be part of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra directed by Maestro Benjamin Zander, as well as NEC’s Precollege division. At Phillips Academy, I am a co-coordinator of the Andover-Lawrence Strings Community Engagement Program, where we give weekly lessons to underprivileged elementary and middle school students from the surrounding community. 

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In the summer of 2019, I joined the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in a tour to Brazil. Midway through the exhausting tour, we had an exchange with an El Sistema-inspired music center in Porto Alegre. As I later reflected in a letter to Mr. Zander, going into the tour, I didn’t know that “the side-by-side exchanges would directly affect me. I had become so accustomed to playing music in a little ‘bubble’ (at school and in Boston) that I took the little things – what everyone considers ‘necessary’ to become a musician – for granted. Yet, after seeing Quinn’s [BPYO trombonist Quinn McGillis’s] generosity in donating a trumpet and trombone to the school in Porto Alegre and playing alongside those kids, I realized that there were still kids with a desire to learn music and kids that love music already, without the proper resources to fulfill that passion. Those few hours spent at that school inspired me to ensure that future generations of musicians and leaders have access to instruments and musical training. Although they ultimately might not choose music as a career path, being exposed to music shows them how to love, communicate, as well as teaches them discipline, respect, perseverance, and a good work ethic.” My experiences of singing for inmates in Taiwanese prisons were also a wakeup call. I realized that music is the true universal language–it can overcome any preexisting barrier. It can bring hope and provide comfort in times of distress. When I finally understood there was so much more to music than playing all the notes beautifully and in tune, I stopped worrying about making mistakes, and my musical content achieved a new level. 

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The current pandemic has brought lots of anxiety and uncertainty to the world. Since all of our classes and music lessons went virtual, we now have incredible access to teachers and professors around the world. However, many students who only play music at school do not have the resources or means to take lessons consistently. Because I’ve worked with so many students who, without the support from their schools, are not able to learn or play music, we have decided to offer free virtual lessons for students who are in need, and to encourage peer learning. As a student, I often learn the most from teaching or listening to my peers play, rather than spending countless hours in the practice room. Especially in times like this, I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me in my development as a musician. In the past, our team has performed at local hospitals, retirement homes, schools, and centers for special needs, and will continue to bring live music when the pandemic is over.          

Evan Tsai