ORLANDO, March 5, 2010 — College of Medicine MD student William Kang personified the link between art and medicine recently when he performed at a pre-concert reception sponsored by United Arts of Central Florida and UCF. Before being selected into the college’s charter class last year, Will was a concert violinist with the Florida Orchestra and Louisiana Philharmonic.
Will performed two works – “Salut D’Amour” by Edward Elgar and “Csardsas” by V. Monti — at a pre-concert reception for the Orlando Philharmonic’s Feb. 20 concert at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in downtown Orlando.
For Will, the link between art and medicine is compelling and an important part of his life. Both of his parents are doctors, and as a child he accompanied them to hospitals, clinics and nursing homes where he played the violin for patients. Before entering medical school, Will earned degrees from Louisiana State University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. “To be special, to be great, an artist has to show who he is,” he said, adding that people love a concert violinist for the same reason they love a doctor – because of the person’s genuine personality, caring and warmth.
Assistant Vice President for Development Chip Roberts said his team organized the event with United Arts to “draw attention to the fact that the arts and medicine have so much in common – they serve to heal us, in body and in soul. We hope this will be the first of many events where medicine and the arts in our community are highlighted.”
Guests at the event included Dean Deborah German, faculty members, several of Will’s classmates and David and Judy Albertson, who donated the full, four-year scholarship that Will received to attend the College of Medicine. The Albertsons both enjoy listening to CDs of Will’s past performances and Dr. German noted that they reacted to his music at Bob Carr almost like proud parents.
“Every musician loves the audience. Every musician loves the pressure,” Will said. “You really can’t describe the jittery excitement you get before performing in front of people you care about.”
Will’s performance drew rave reviews from United Arts officials, who suggested he might consider auditioning for the Orlando Philharmonic – in his spare time. Margot Knight, president and CEO of United Arts, noted the “deep connection” between science, medicine and the arts. “It never ceases to surprise me how many doctors paint, play an instrument and sing,” she said.
One young doctor-in-training saw that connection first-hand. Mitch Popovetsky, another member of the College of Medicine’s charter class, attended the reception. “Will’s performance was a pleasure and an inspiration to hear,” he said. “The careful dedication he gave to every note is the same dedication I see him put into his studies.”
View video from the event at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nh79aCsw68