Former Schaumburg orchestra member pays it forward
Schaumburg native Leo Chan is the first to tell people that he loves music, in particular the violin.
At Conant High School, Chan played in the orchestra as well as in the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra, which was led by Conant orchestra Director Joseph Malmquist.
His musicianship won him a $500 alumni scholarship his senior year, awarded by the Prairie Arts Foundation.
Chan put it toward his education at the University of Illinois, where he played in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and served two years in its leadership.
Even in college he stayed in tune with Schaumburg’s youth orchestra, accompanying the young musicians as an alumni in 2005 on their tour of Eastern Europe.
Last week, Chan, 25, deepened his involvement even more: he paid it forward.
Chan, now a financial analyst, came to the Schaumburg village board this week to award a scholarship he created for a graduating senior.
“I’ve been meaning to do this for some time,” Chan told the audience. “I want to give back and support young musicians, as the go forward in pursuing their dreams.”
The first recipient is 17-year- old Gianna Capobianco of Sleepy Hollow, a flute and piccolo player. She will begin pursuing a degree in music performance in the fall at Elgin Community College.
“I’m so excited,” she said. “I never thought I had a chance to win this.”
Chan gave her a $500 scholarship and encouraged her to continue practicing and pursuing her music.
“I tell all young musicians to work hard,” Chan said. “Their music is not just another thing they have to deal with, it’s a way of life.”
Music is also a way of life for another promising Schaumburg musician, Will Garza, who won this year’s alumni scholarship from the Prairie Arts Foundation. Garza plays bass in the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra and he’ll pursue a music degree at Northern Illinois University starting this fall.
His award was something of a first, as foundation members renamed the scholarship in the memory of Ruth Park, one of the founding board members of the Prairie Arts Foundation and a longtime supporter of the arts.
Her daughter, Lynne, presented the first Ruth Park Scholarship, and then was elected to the foundation board herself.
“The committee felt that Will’s passion for music,” said Lucinda Flodin, foundation executive director, “was in keeping with Ruth’s passion for the arts and the Prairie Center.”