Feb.12 - Chinese NYPD Officer Performs Fundraising Piano Recital at Brooklyn Music School

Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:39

Classical Music Performance Will Benefit Chinese-American Planning Council

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Brooklyn, NY -- January 24 -- As a former teacher and youth counselor at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), NYPD Police Officer Yip, Ka Kit (Chris) knows the vital role the community organization plays in Manhattan's Chinatown and its other locations in Queens and Brooklyn. That's why, when he planned his classical music piano recital at the Brooklyn Music School, Yip decided to give half of the proceeds from the ticket sales to this group offering educational, social service and health resources to the Chinese American community.

The recital is based on an educational approach to the history of piano music. The program features music from the Baroque period of J.S. Bach, to Classicism of J. Haydn, to Romanticism of F. Mendelssohn and to the 20^th century of G. Gershwin. It is suitable for audiences of all ages and will be held on Saturday, February 12 at 5:00 pm at the Brooklyn Music School Playhouse, 126 St. Felix Street, Brooklyn.

"The Brooklyn Music School is thrilled to support our student, Chris Yip, in giving back to the community. We are committed to helping our neighbors in Fort Greene and the larger New York City community that is served by groups like the Chinese American Planning Council. We applaud Yip for sharing his outstanding musical talent and serving as an inspiration to students of all ages," said Frank Alvarado, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Music School.

Unlike most students, Yip began his piano studies as an adult, at age 22. He later became acquainted with the Brooklyn Music School when he was assigned to the 88th Precinct in Fort Greene. "I passed by the school often and finally decided that it was time for me to sign up with a teacher and focus on my piano studies," Yip said. "Working as a police officer is a demanding job, and practicing piano is also demanding. Somehow, I feel my work and my music complement each other," he added. Yip has studied with renowned Ukrainian pianist Valentina Nazarenko at the Brooklyn Music School.

Arriving in New York with his Chinese immigrant parents at age 10, Yip attended PS 24, IS 189 and Francis Lewis High School in Queens. Upon graduation, he enrolled at SUNY Stony Brook, where

he graduated with a major in linguistics and obtained a teaching certificate. He had worked as a teaching assistant at the CPC day care program while in college and was initially hired as a teacher in the program, before becoming a youth counselor. Yip worked at the CPC for several years. When he joined the NYPD, Yip served first in East New York, and currently works in Fort Greene.

Tickets for the recital may be purchased at www.iseats.net for $15 dollars in advance or $20 at the door.

Contact Info:
Janet Falk
347-256-9141 or 212-677-5770
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