Albert Wu
12 Kelsey
Irvine CA 92618
(949)413-7484 Oct
31, 2012
To: Harvard University
Office of Admissions
Few students have changed
my world. Few students dream the big dreams, chase after it, then want to hear
mine. Few students see the big picture and know what is important. Few students
give me advice, guide me, and inspire me to push my own limits. And few
students have the creative spirit and energy to make my dreams happen. It
appears Ray Cheng is one such student capable of balancing quantity and
quality, and he has made sacrifices which has affected not just my nonprofit
organization but also his high school, in the arts, sciences, and humanities.
It gives me great pleasure
to recommend Ray Cheng to your attention for Harvard’s 2013-14 school year.
To describe Ray Cheng, only
a slew of superlatives would aptly describe his creative genius and free spirit.
It is here where I find him truly unique, not just exceptional. What drives him
and his unique ideas is what Harvard will find interesting.
The answer lie beyond his
resume: it always is. There is no doubt he is exceptional: the sheer quantity
and quality of accomplishments in lacrosse, music, robotics, the science club,
MUN, mock trials, and mountain biking is superhuman. Yes, he is nationally
ranked in the violin, piano, and mountain biking. Yes, he is loved by his peers
and his high school administration. Yes, he is a humanitarian, and yes he has
performed internationally for diplomats on international television. And yes,
he has fundraised for my nonprofit through countless benefit concerts. What
impresses me is his compassion and sense of self-sacrifice: Ray gives. Whether
it is his time or his advice, he is always thinking about the big picture.
Students who think about the future are visionaries. Ray is such an individual,
driven by curiosity. Never have I written a recommendation addressing the depth
of these emotions. And this is how intense Ray’s devotion, desire, and
discipline are at play in his life.
You will get lost in his
accomplishments on the violin and piano. They are extraordinary. Everything he
does is centered around these two musical voices. Look beyond the competition
prizes and you will see a perfectionist, an artist seeking to share his
feelings. He is a musician of great musical depth and sensitivity.
For me, a true artist is
someone who is original and irreplaceable. Ray is such an artist, and more. He
comes up with his own ideas, finds a way to make it reality, then pushes the
limits of that reality. And not because he wants to show off if he can, but
because he is thinking of the big picture: others. His friends, myself, and
IYCA are so vital to his happiness. He does not like flying solo.
Ray’s projects always
involve my orchestra, and it is flattering. He sees all the possibilities and
this infectious passion inspires others to believe in his reality. In 2011,
this reality became the talk of Hollywood as IYCA began its musical journey
into Capitol Records. It would mark the start of his career as a recording
artist.
This musical adventure
tackled recording with Hollywood’s elite film composers, and to date, you will
find a half dozen films and videos on YouTube featuring Ray Cheng as
concertmaster. He wants others to realize that music is fun. For him, recording
in Hollywood is.
Sitting alongside
professional musicians, Ray leads recording projects with precision. Violin in
hand, he is always serious and focused. Many of the professional musicians and
composers were impressed by his immense talent as a recording artist. They
learned later he was still in high school.
Two weeks ago, one of those
recordings received an award at the 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Ray’s
work and legacy with IYCA will be recognized by Hollywood. He is a true
pioneer: never before has a high school
student’s recording with a youth orchestra been nominated by the HMMA. His
impact is catching everyone’s attention. We are witnessing the next Brian
Tyler, a Harvard film composer Ray adores.
Without his leadership, my
vision for IYCA to record on the big screen would have never taken flight.
Needless to say, he is beyond excited to meet Howard Shore, John Williams, and
Thomas Newman. They are his idols, his favorite composers, and he dreams
working with them. In 2013, he wants to give birth to IYCA’s Recording Academy
Orchestra. His dream is to return from Harvard and see IYCA busy recording in
the studios. And yes, he wants to record as a guest alumni.
Ray’s training program will
offer high school students around the country the opportunity to record film
scores at Capitol Records. And he wants IYCA to spearhead national efforts to
make it a reality. He is working with the Grammy Foundation as well as former
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran (Harvard, 1969) about this project. I support and
applaud him for his courage. Watch for him at Capitol Records on February 3,
2013. If you miss him, you may see him leading IYCA in the Grammy’s shortly
after. He is that good.
Ray is a deeply sensitive
artist and human being. The fire that ignites Ray’s creative energy lies in his
free spirit. He relies on his instincts to dream, and when he does, it always
includes my organization. Whenever IYCA performs or records, Ray is always
capturing that event on film. And herein lies his passion for film which I not
only encourage but believe to be his true genius.
Yes, I am talking about
that Spielberg zest: that hunger to tell a story or to capture an emotion. Ray
wants to change the world by sending powerful messages through this medium. He
will spend hours editing as recording engineers do in a studio, cutting,
splicing, and editing. Ray is after perfection, not recognition, and he is
addicted to that creative process. He films for IYCA, for his high school, for
his clubs, and for his friends. He is selfless, and believes his audience
should see the ‘big picture.’
My musical journey ends in
June 2013 with Ray Cheng. There is so much he wants to do. Another film,
another recording, another tour, another concert, and another red carpet
invite. He is truly irreplaceable.
Three days ago, Hurricane
Sandy ravaged through the East Coast. Thousands are still suffering without
power, water, and homes. Ray called and proposed IYCA does what it does best:
help those in need. There is always room in Ray’s heart to perform a charity
concert and to serve others.
It gives me great pleasure
to recommend Ray Cheng to your attention. He has already impacted my world
through music and film and will continue to do so. He will be an excellent
addition to Harvard University.
Your’s Truly,
Albert Wu
Executive Director, Irvine Young
Concert Artists
Former Violin Professor, Vanguard
University & Orange Coast College
Former First Violinist of Pacific
Symphony Orchestra, Opera Pacific
