'Fannie Lou' Musical

AMBER YI-WEN HO
(Cello) 

Growing up in Taiwan, music was part of Amber Yi-Wen Ho’s life.

“I don't really remember how I first got interested in music, I started learning when I was very little,” recalled Amber. “Music has been part of my life for a long time. Playing music is very natural for me. I found out this is the thing I want to do forever when I was in middle school.”

While Amber sort of absorbed music in general, when it came time to choose an instrument to specialize in, she made a conscious decision.

“Actually, when I went to music school, they told me I had to pick an instrument for the orchestra,” she said. “I only had two options: cello and bass. I liked the cello's sound better, so I picked the cello.” Amber also plays piano.

Being able to express emotions and tell stories through an instrument is what Amber loves about playing cello. It goes beyond just playing notes on a page, she said. She credits a college teacher with helping draw that special skill out of her.

“He taught me how to tell a story through music, how to express my thoughts and feelings through music,” she said. “He is a very passionate teacher. I learned how to be a real musician with him, instead of just playing music.”

Amber came to the United States to study music at Boston University. There, she earned a master’s degree in cello performance. She moved to New York two years ago.

“New York is a city full of opportunities,” Amber said. “I can always explore and learn new things here.”

One of those new things was musical theater. Compared to performing classical music, different areas of expertise are required, she found.

“To play music theater works, that requires very good sight-reading skill, a good ear and the ability to cooperate with the composer, singer, and fellow musician,” said Amber.  “I think good sight-reading skill is not necessary to play classical music because you usually have more preparation time to practice. But for music theater works, usually, we need to pick up the notes right away in first rehearsal.” 

Amber said she definitely would like to perform more work in musical theater – and other genres as well.

 “I used to play classical only, but since I moved to New York, I learned that I can do more than just classical,” she said. “So now I'm open to any kind of music.”

Thank you to everyone who came to the Oct. 22 performance of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou," and heard Aaron and Amber play in the accompanying onstage instrumental ensemble! 

For more information about the production and its inspiration, Fannie Lou Hamer, please visit
 this page 

AARON BOSCANIN
(Violin) 

Aaron Boscanin’s parents immersed him in the Portland, Oregon, music scene, taking him to concerts making sure he was exposed to classical and other types of performances the city had to offer.

“They wanted me to learn an instrument, and I liked the way the violin sounded,” said Aaron.

So, Aaron began studying violin at age 8. Over the years he participated in various youth music groups. At the age of 15 is when he really began to think he would he’d like to play violin professionally.

“Once I turned 15, I fell in love with it, I fell in love with music,” he said. “It’s a way for me to express everything I’m feeling without talking about it.”

He studied music in Canada on a full scholarship, majoring in violin performance at Canadian University College. He graduated in 2014, and came to New York last year.

Aaron credits one of his teacher, Cindy Petty of Music Celebrations International, with helping him explore the many possibilities of music performance.

“I learned everything from her. She’s my music mom,” said Aaron. “She taught me to love music. Not just playing, but expressing.”

Aaron would like to pass on that joy to others by helping promote classical music.

“I love classical music. Specifically, Romantic music,” he said, adding, “My ultimate goal is that I would like to see classical music featured more in pop culture.”

Aaron also has performed in musical theater, including Off-Broadway. There’s more spontaneity and improvisation with that, he says. He would love to begin substituting for Broadway shows, he said. He’s exploring other performance options as well, including playing violin with a singer-songwriter’s group. At some point, he said, he’d like to record an album and create his own show

“I like doing different things,” said Aaron.

But he’ll always be interested in promoting classical music, and hopes others will as well.

“As a classical musician, I see the beauty in what’s already written,” he said. “At the end of the day, classical music is entertainment. It’s important to see the relevance.”