Long Island Kids to play at White House Tree Lighting
The Joyous String Ensemble is playing at the National Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 3, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Credit: Joyous Music School
Seven Long Island kids who make up the Joyous String Ensemble will perform on Thursday in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by the White House and the first family.
The event takes place at 5 p.m. outdoors at President’s Park at the White House.
Justin Yu of Jericho, now 9, is the ensemble's key personality. He started playing the cello at 3, and at 6 performed classical pieces such as “The Swan” and “Butterfly Lovers” with the New York International Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. His dad, Julian, is the director of the Joyous Music School in HIcksville, where the ensemble is based.
The other players include Christine Yu, 9, of Jericho, on cello; Mickayla Jia, 9, of Jericho, on violin; Tyler Layu, 9, of Herricks, on violin; Brendon Lau, 11, of Herricks, on bass; Victoria Lin, 9, of Great Neck on cello; and Kalyn Yung, 9, of Herricks, on violin.
