As we draw closer to the tour, we want to share a little bit about the musicians who will be traveling to Argentina. Exchange student and violinist Kanon Ando, and bassist Liz Bates
recently agreed to do a Q&A via Facebook.
Kanon Ando:
My name is Kanon Ando. I'm 18 years old, and an exchange
student from Japan. I went to Madison Memorial High School this past year,
although I still have half of senior year to complete at my home HS where I'm
studying music as a major. I play the violin. My other hobbies include playing
sports, listening to music, and watching YouTube.
What attracted you
about WYSO? How has your experience with WYSO been thus far?
I wanted to get experience with local youth orchestra in
America. Then I heard about WYSO. I’m glad to have joined WYSO in my exchange
year.
Are you looking
forward to being on tour in Argentina? What are you looking forward to?
I’ll be going to a high school of music at home, and have
also been a member of the Toyota junior orchestra since 6th grade. I
went to England for a goodwill concert tour with my orchestra when I was in 8th
grade. We played there with a local orchestra. It gave me so much more stimulus
to my music. I hope this tour will be as much, or a better tour! I have never
been to South America so I have no idea how fun it will be there, but I think
this tour will be fun, and I can get more art experience. Also this is a good
time to make more friends and get more memories in WYSO! (I haven't talked with
a lot of WYSO students yet:/)
Liz Bates
Give some background
information about you.
My name is Liz Bates, I will be a senior at Memorial high
school and this is my 7th year playing string bass. I have been in WYSO for the
past 5 years and I also am an avid Packer fan and a self-proclaimed geek (reference:
Profile picture with Tom Felton). Besides playing in WYSO, I also play in the
Madison Area Youth Chamber Orchestra (MAYCO) and spend the rest of my time
working or hanging out with friends.
What are some of the
difficulties associated with playing bass?
Difficulties playing bass: It's big, hard to carry, and easy
to bump into things. Stairs are not friends of bass players, and not owning a
van also makes transportation a bit tricky. But after 7 years I have mastered
carrying my bass up and down three flights of stairs every Saturday morning, as
well as fitting it into my Dad's Ford Fusion. I also have a wheel that I put in
place of my in-pin that makes long walks a lot more bearable. Luckily for me, WYSO
is renting basses for us in Argentina, so I will not have to deal with buying a
hard case and paying to transport it. (Note: Thank you WYSO staff) As much
trouble as my instrument can be at times, it is one of my most prized
possessions.
What are you
particularly excited about for the Argentina tour?
This is my first time out of the
country, so I am excited to experience another culture and finally see
something other than the U.S. I am excited for the shopping and new food I will
be able to try. Believe it or not I am also excited for the extremely long
plane ride! I will have plenty of time to complete my AP English 12 project I
have been putting off for 2 months. But most of all, I am very excited to
finally see a good friend of mine who was an exchange student from Argentina
last year. She and I were in the same orchestra class at JMM and I have not
seen her in over a year. She is planning to come to our concert on the 26th and
bring her whole family! I am really excited for this trip!
What are you worried
about?
My Spanish is absolutely pathetic
so I am a bit concerned about communicating, but if all else fails my iPhone is
never far. I am a bit worried about being so far away from home, but once we
get to explore I should be fine. I also don't want my bow taken at customs.
That would not make me happy.
Interview questions by Isabella Wu
