YoungArts, the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, has been recognizing excellence in visual, literary and performing arts for 30 years.
At YoungArts Week, students participate in master classes with internationally renowned artists, workshops, interdisciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions.
Fang said he was excited to see the performances by the other artists, and is looking forward to playing in a piano quintet with fellow musicians.
“That was one of my reasons for doing this,” said Fang, who is believed to be the first student from Centerville ever selected. “It is always nice to meet other kids with similar interests.”
Fang also is president of the CHS Math Club and volunteers at the Fine Arts Center in Town & Country Shopping Center. He been playing piano since he was 5, and violin since he was 2.
“My mom (Michelle Fang) is a violin teacher,” he said, adding that his father, Weifu Fang, is a math professor and chairman of the math department at Wright State University.
His sister, Demi, is a sophomore at CHS and plays violin, piano and viola.
Fang has applied to Harvard University to study math and science, and hopes to become a research scientist.
This event should help him with tuition, too — YoungArts students also win at least $1,000, and can earn up to $10,000.
Fang said he was appreciative of the help he has received from the community and from CHS.
“The teachers and (principal) have been great,” Fang said. “Not just academically, but they have been very supportive of me.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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