Sansa Wang
violin
Alma maters: Renmin University of China, BM; Mannes School of Music, MM; Henry Mancini Institute, Frost School of Music, University of Miami, DMA, instrumental performance
Photo credit
Awards/Competitions
Golden Award, Zhongfa International Network Music Competition; Excellence Award, National College Students Advertisement Arts Competition, Beijing
Appearances
HMI Orchestra; Frost Symphony Orchestra; Civic Orchestra of Chicago, substitute; New World Symphony, substitute, 2025; Napa Valley Music Festival; Pacific Crest Music Festival
How did you hear about TŌN? What inspired you to apply?
I first heard about TŌN through friends. As I continued my music studies, I realized that I enjoy performing more than teaching. I also found that, compared with solo performance, I am more interested in chamber music, small ensembles, and orchestra. Because of this, I wanted to experience what it would be like to work in an orchestra. TŌN offered a very good platform for both performance and learning, so I decided to apply.
What is the most memorable performance you ever had?
The most memorable performance for me was my first orchestra concert when I was in middle school. It was part of a competition, and we performed Dvořák’s Carnival Overture. We prepared for the competition for an entire year and continued rehearsing even during school breaks. Since we were all very young and the piece was quite difficult for us at that age, each section also had separate coaching. Everyone spent a great deal of time practicing. In the end, the performance went very well, and we won first place. It was the first time I truly experienced what it meant for a large group of people to work toward the same goal and give their best together. After the performance, I felt that all of our hard work had been worth it, which is why the experience has stayed with me.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
If I were not a musician, I would probably work in a field related to journalism. I have always enjoyed photography, filming, and video editing, and I also minored in journalism during my undergraduate studies.
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Keep going, and find a teacher who is truly a good fit. I believe both patience and the right guidance are very important when learning an instrument.