Wanting to start a new hobby during the pandemic, James Yu bought himself a cello. From Taiwan and now living in Cambridge, Yu spent a few years working in finance, but fell in love with the instrument. After a year and a half of studying the cello, he left his finance job to attend Middlesex Community College and pursue his newfound passion as a career.
“Being able to study with incredible musicians such as Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta and Orlando Cela allowed me to learn new ways to interact with music,” Yu said. “Their insights and years of experience helped me continue to experiment and challenge myself in my day-to-day music practice.”
“My overall time at MCC has been enriching and yielding. The classroom and online experiences have been inclusive and engaging.” - James Yu, MCC Alum
Now a graduate of MCC’s Performing Arts Music program, Yu chose MCC on recommendation from his cello teacher Johnny Mok, an adjunct professor at Middlesex. In his classes, Yu enjoyed combining his own creative instincts with the instruction and resources he gained from his professors.
“Professor Rodríguez-Peralta can pinpoint and clearly explain the issues and alleviate tension while playing,” he said. “I have noticed improvements I have made on the piano and pieces that were previously too difficult, now I can play with ease.”
In addition to helping him improve his craft from the technical side, his classes at MCC taught Yu how to be more effective in auditions and performances in front of a crowd. During his time at MCC, he participated in MCC’s “A World of Music” student recitals and performed at the college’s Professional Day for employees.
In the Spring 2023 semester, Yu was also one of four cellists who received a public lesson from noted Peruvian cellist Jesús Castro-Balbi, who performed during one of MCC’s “World of Music” concerts. While this experience was “nerve-wracking and challenging,” Yu was grateful for this experience to improve his abilities.
“It is important to have performance opportunities because it allows musicians – at any level – to experiment and find their voice,” he said. “It also helps to learn to cope with any anxieties that go along with performing and most importantly, to be able to express themselves unapologetically though music.”
Yu graduated from Middlesex in Spring 2023, receiving the Music Award for Outstanding Performance and an associate degree in the performing arts. Now auditioning for undergraduate music programs around Boston, he credits MCC for providing him with the foundation to focus on the performance side of music.
“My overall time at MCC has been enriching and yielding,” Yu said. “The classroom and online experiences have been inclusive and engaging.”