Season 50
2001-2002
Roster
Seniors
Summer 2001 Redwood Camp
A Symphony of Fifty Years: The Golden Opener (November 2001 Concert)
As the autumn leaves settled over the Bay Area in November 2001, the California Youth Symphony stood on the precipice of a historic milestone - its 50th Anniversary Season. This was more than a concert; it was a "Golden Age" in the making. Under the visionary baton of Maestro Leo Eylar, the orchestra didn't just perform—they commanded the stage, proving that while their members were young, their artistry was timeless.
The air in the Flint Center and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center was thick with a unique blend of celebration and solemnity. In a poignant gesture of solidarity following the tragedy of 9/11, the orchestra transformed these performances into a beacon of hope, dedicating proceeds to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. It was a powerful reminder that music is not just an aesthetic pursuit, but a healing force for the community.
The Artistic Pinnacle: Mahler & Rachmaninov
The program was a testament to the orchestra’s formidable reputation. To open a season with Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 was an act of artistic courage. From the haunting opening trumpet fanfare to the lush, yearning strings of the Adagietto, the ensemble navigated Mahler’s complex emotional landscape with a maturity that defied their years. The brass section, in particular, soared through the exhausting score, earning rare acclaim for their technical precision and "tonal quality that has no peer on the Peninsula."
A Star Ascending: Featured Soloist Adrian Tam
Central to this golden celebration was the presence of Adrian Tam, the 17-year-old virtuoso and winner of the 2001 Young Artist Competition. Taking his place at the piano for Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Tam invited the audience into a world of Romantic fervor.
With "gracefulness and elegance," his fingers danced through the familiar, richly lush melodies of the C-Minor concerto. Tam’s performance was a dialogue between youthful energy and sophisticated restraint—a perfect personification of the CYS mission. As he moved through the sweeping second movement, it became clear to all in attendance that they were witnessing the dawn of a brilliant musical journey, framed by the legacy of an orchestra that had spent fifty years nurturing such exceptional talent.
The Golden Jubilee: A Convergence of Generations (March 2002 Concert)
March 2002 marked the emotional and artistic pinnacle of the 50th Anniversary season. The Gala Concert at the Flint Center was not merely a performance; it was a grand homecoming. As reported by the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle, the event celebrated a "half-century of nurturing talent," bridging the legacy of founder Aaron Sten with the visionary leadership of Maestro Leo Eylar. The program itself was a daring triptych of musical excellence: the world premiere of Eylar’s own "Tonescapes," the "pugilistic" intensity of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 featuring soloist Naoya Kanai, and the sweeping romanticism of Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 3.
Portraits of Excellence: Kimberly Kanada & Sydney Larson
Beyond the orchestral grandeur, the 50th Anniversary shone a light on the individual journeys that define the CYS experience. In featured interviews with the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and Saratoga News, two young women exemplified the discipline and passion the symphony instills in its members.
Kimberly Kanada, a harpist from Monte Sereno, shared a story of profound inspiration. Having been "enchanted" by the harp at a CYS concert years prior, she dedicated herself to mastering the complex instrument—an endeavor that requires simultaneous coordination of hands, feet, and a constant connection with the conductor. For Kimberly, the challenge of the harp was a metaphor for life. "Playing makes me feel like I can accomplish anything," she reflected, capturing the essence of how CYS empowers students to step into the spotlight with unwavering confidence.
Similarly, bassoonist Sydney Larson of Saratoga represented the intellectual curiosity fostered within the ensemble. A scholar-athlete at Castilleja School, Sydney was drawn to the "unique, challenging, and uncommon" voice of the bassoon. She viewed the orchestra as a vital lesson in teamwork, where being a "minority" instrument meant carrying a distinct responsibility to the whole. Her mother, Shirley, noted that the "incredible amount of teamwork and discipline" Sydney gained at CYS provided a foundation for her future ambitions in genetics and economics.
A Legacy Beyond the Stage
The narrative of the 50th season, as echoed by the Sten family and long-time publicity director Helga Gladney, was one of enduring impact. While only a small percentage of musicians like Kimberly and Sydney may pursue professional music, 100% of them carry the "CYS spark" into their diverse careers. Whether in a research lab or a corporate boardroom, these "Classical Kids" of 2002 proved that the true achievement of CYS’s first fifty years was not just the music played, but the resilient, multi-faceted leaders created.
The Grand Finale: A Golden Season’s Farewell (May 2002)
In May 2002, the California Youth Symphony brought its historic 50th Anniversary season to a thunderous and triumphant close. Performances at the Flint Center and the San Mateo Performing Arts Center served as a vibrant bridge between the "Golden Age" of our past and the limitless potential of our future. Under the masterful direction of Maestro Leo Eylar, the orchestra tackled a program of immense technical and cinematic scope. From the jazz-inflected streets of Gershwin’s "An American in Paris" to the climactic, brass-heavy march of Respighi’s "Pines of Rome," the 100-member ensemble performed with a precision and emotional maturity that had become the hallmark of the CYS legacy.
Soloists in the Spotlight: Daniel Yao & Tyson Mao
The season finale was defined by the extraordinary performances of two young virtuosos, both winners of the 2001-2002 Senior Soloist Competition. Daniel Yao, a senior from Saratoga High School and co-principal of the flute section, delivered a stunning rendition of Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto. Having grown up within the CYS family—spending four years in the preparatory tiers and four years in the senior orchestra—Daniel’s performance was a testament to the success of the CYS developmental ladder. His technical mastery and lyrical depth reflected the high caliber of the "Saratoga Style" and the rigorous training provided by his mentors.
Equally compelling was the performance of violinist Tyson Mao, whose 12-season tenure with CYS reached its poignant conclusion on this stage. Joining the CYS family at just six years old, Tyson’s journey from a young beginner to a world-class soloist embodied the very heart of our mission. As he commanded the intricate melodies of the Khachaturian Violin Concerto, he celebrated more than a decade of musical dedication. In a profile by the San Mateo Daily Journal, Tyson revealed himself as the quintessential CYS student: a brilliant polymath who balanced 14 years of violin study with competitive robotics and mathematics. Even as he prepared to enroll at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Tyson noted that the discipline and camaraderie of the orchestra were inseparable from his identity.
A Legacy of Excellence
The conclusion of Season 50 was more than a final curtain call; it was a celebration of the "well-rounded individuals" CYS strives to cultivate. Whether pursuing the frontiers of science like Tyson or continuing to champion the arts like Daniel, the graduates of 2002 entered the world as leaders forged by the discipline of the symphony. As the final notes of Respighi echoed through the hall, they signaled not just the end of a golden anniversary, but the beginning of a new chapter for an organization that has spent half a century proving that when you invest in youth, you invest in a more harmonious future.
