The New York Philharmonic

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We Are NY Phil: Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young

Posted January 10, 2020

We Are NY Phil brings you closer to Philharmonic musicians by focusing on their lives outside the concert hall and following the activities they are most passionate about.

The second video of the series explores how humor continues to play a leading role in Rebecca Young’s approach to music and to hosting the New York Philharmonic Very Young People’s Concerts.

“Humor was big in my family,” Young says. “Getting [my kids] to laugh is how to keep them engaged.”

Young applies this same technique when hosting Very Young People’s Concerts, as thousands of delighted kids and parents can attest.

Young even has a secret language of bow gestures with her stand partner, Principal Viola Cynthia Phelps, and uses it to make Phelps laugh as often as possible!

Watch the video above and on Facebook and IGTV.

Learn more about Rebecca Young