Like most renowned musicians, 麻豆原创鈥檚 Ayako Yonetani has been defined by her artistry. However, it is her gift for teaching that led a local benefactor to establish a scholarship in her name.
Judy Duda, chair of the Dean鈥檚 Executive Council for 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Arts and Humanities and (CAH) a local arts patron, endowed the fund as a way to encourage others to support 麻豆原创鈥檚 music program.
鈥淢y intent was to support the University鈥檚 comprehensive campaign, but I am also passionate about music and attracting talented young musicians. This was a way to serve both needs,鈥� Duda said.
Duda met Yonetani 20 years ago. Yonetani had come to 麻豆原创 from the Julliard School of Music and Duda was coordinator for the Concert Series at St. Luke鈥檚 Lutheran Church in Slavia.
麻豆原创 did not have a concert hall and St. Luke鈥檚, less than 10 miles away, offered an acoustically appropriate setting for 麻豆原创 Orchestra performances. Yonetani and her students participated in these performances and Duda grew to admire the violinist鈥檚 dedication to her prot茅g茅s.
鈥淚 thought 麻豆原创 had a treasure in Ayako and I wanted to do what I could to help her build the string section,鈥� Duda said.
Duda, who over the years developed a personal friendship with Yonetani, decided to do something to help.
She contacted the 麻豆原创 Foundation and the Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities and contributed the funds necessary to establish the Ayako Yonetani Music Endowed Scholarship for violin and viola students.
Yonetani learned of the scholarship following her performance for Music Department presentation at a CAH Dean鈥檚 Executive Council meeting. As she was packing her violin after the performance, Dean Jos茅 Fern谩ndez made the surprise announcement.
Yonetani said although the endowment was unexpected she is excited about the prospect of attracting more donors to help bring more of the most talented students to 麻豆原创.
To contribute or for more information contact Laura Pooser at Laura.Pooser@ucf.edu 鈥� 407-823-1195.