the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Demarest NJ, Music is a vital part of life for cellist Cecilia Yun, who recently earned a seat in the 2021-22 All-State Orchestra.
“(Music) allows me to connect with others and express myself in a unique artistic way,” said Yun, who ranked tenth out of more than 50 of New Jersey’s high school cellists who participated in the competitive online audition process.
This Closter resident is a member of the Class of 2023 at the Academy of the Holy Angels, where she studies with AHA Instrumental Music Director Mariann Annecchino.
“All of the auditioning, which involved directors as well as students, took place after our school year ended, during the month of July, so this really called for extra effort on everyone’s part,” Annecchino added.
Asked about her successful audition, Yun explained that she was required to submit videos of herself performing an excerpt from “Allegro Appassionato” by Camille Saint-Saens,” and a series of minor and major three-octave scales.
“I had always wanted to try an audition for All-State,” the musician shared. “Since All-State includes all of New Jersey, the competition is tougher and the travel distance for practices is also longer.”
Yun viewed the All-State audition opportunity as a way to return to her usual extracurricular activities, some of which were not available during the first stages of the pandemic.
She added, “I am very excited to start rehearsals and build up to the performance!”
Yun has plenty of experience playing for audiences. In 2020, Yun was named to the New Jersey State Music Educators Association’s Honors Orchestra. She has also performed with the Camerata Youth Orchestra and the New Jersey Regional Orchestra. In 2019, Yun was selected to perform at the School Sisters of Notre Dame Donor Recognition Luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Academy of the Holy Angels’ foundresses and sponsors. At Holy Angels, she plays her cello for the AHA Orchestra and the Select Strings ensemble. She is a member of Tri-M, a national honor society that recognizes accomplished musicians who demonstrate leadership, scholarship, and character.
In her community, Yun is a volunteer with the Camerata Cancer Foundation and the Young People’s Network, where she promotes autism awareness. She also makes time to teach cello lessons to middle school students. She has already earned multiple Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Awards.
Yun is a Mother Caroline Scholar, an Angel Ambassador, and a member of the AHA Model United Nations team and Angels for Animals. She maintains an excellent grade point average, and is regularly named to the Principal’s List. She is also a key member of the AHA Varsity Golf Team, and recently participated in the Bergen County Golf Tournament.
Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. Over time, thousands of women have passed through AHA’s portals. Many go on to study at some of the nation’s best universities, earning high-ranking positions in medicine, government, law, education, public service, business, arts, and athletics. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.
315 HILLSIDE AVENUE, DEMAREST, NJ 07627
201.768.7822 | HOLYANGELS.ORG
Marvelous music! Thanks for posting.