By: Amira Mensah, Development and Communications Associate
Eric Wang in the middle of playing his favorite piece Jongo, by Paulo Bellinati.
On Sunday, December 1st high school prodigy Eric Wang performed a classical guitar recital to a standing ovation at the Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco. HCN was honored to have been selected by Eric as one of the concert beneficiaries.“I like the organization’s cause and I wanted to help,” he explains.
On November 3rd, two other award-winning young classical guitarists, Emilia Diaz Delgado and Conor Padmanabhan, performed at the Basilica to benefit HCN. Taking inspiration from that event, Eric also decided to use his gift of music to raise money for homeless children and families in the Bay Area.
The audience was left stunned at the close of the concert by Eric’s performance. The selection of music by Spanish composers was a melodic delight. Choosing a favorite piece may be challenging for audience members, but not for Eric. His ultimate favorite piece he performed Sunday evening was Jongo, by Paulo Bellinati.
Eric describes the feeling of playing through passages as “really fun.” His passion and dedication to his craft is evident in the elegant manner he performs. After the close of the concert, HCN’s Board President, Francisco Herrera, shared a moment with Eric in musical community as they played guitar together. Both Eric and Francisco started learning music at age four.
The high school sophomore spends two to three hours a day perfecting his craft. His hard work has paid off as Eric was recently selected as a 2019 Young Arts finalists.
The concert was a part of the 2019 - 2020 Classical Guitar Series produced by Notes for Nourishment, co-sponsored by ListenForLife.org and the music ministry of Mission Dolores Basilica.
Finding a way to couple his passion for music and humanitarian work has inspired many. The money raised at the December 1st concert, helps HCN continue our work with providing homeless children and families mental health services. If you weren’t able to attend the concert, you can still support HCN in our efforts to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families.
HCN's Board President, Francisco Herrera and Eric Wang playing a duet of Greensleeves at the close of the concert.