A hush came over the Yakima Capitol Theater on April 29 as the Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra began a concert. Many in the audience were from the Yakima (Wash.) Church and had come specifically to hear Jonathan Sharley and Nicole Kim.
Sharley is the 16-year-old son of Harry and Lori Sharley, Yakima Adventist pastor and wife, who won the 2008 Young Pianist's Award and the privilege of playing with the orchestra. Before beginning the piece, Sharley bowed his head and prayed and the conductor politely waited. His flawless performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto, "Opus 54," received a standing ovation. In addition to piano, Sharley plays French horn, cello, trumpet, guitar and accordion.
Nicole Kim is the 14-year-old daughter of Jung and Vicky Kim and the primary cellist in the orchestra. She performed Vivaldi's Concerto in G Minor, a difficult, but delightful, cello duet. Kim also plays the piano, the bassoon and sings. She recently received an excellent rating for Arias (sung in Italian) at an adjudication in Spokane, Wash. Kim is in school choral groups, band and the church hand bell choir.
Besides being gifted musicians, both are 4.0 students at YACS and class officers.
Jonathan Sharley with sister Karissa, his "biggest" fan.
Nicole Kim and her cello.
Nicole Kim and her cello.
