Statement on the Passing of NYO-China Board Director Shirley Young

December 28, 2020

The entire National Youth Orchestra of China family is saddened to learn of the passing of our Board Director Shirley Young.

 Ms. Young was a remarkable woman with an extraordinary story, immigrating to the United States when she was only 10 years old, rapidly ascending to the highest echelons of international business and industry (usually as both the lone Asian and woman in the room), and leaving an indelible mark on the strengthening of US-Chinese relations. 

 She was also a committed patron of the arts, serving on the board of the New York Philharmonic and always eager to lend a platform to aspiring new artists. In fact, she was one of NYO-China’s earliest supporters, willing to risk her name and reputation to support our ensemble before our first students were even recruited. It was in no small part due to her public confidence in our project that we were able to secure the exceptional artists, faculty, and venues that we did; and for that, we are grateful.

 Without a doubt, friends of Ms. Young will spend the next few days extolling her virtues of wisdom and grace, regularly exhibited within her numerous leadership roles at General Motors, the Bank of America, Salesforce, the New York Stock Exchange, Wellesley College, and the Committee of 100. Likewise, we are privileged to do the same. 

 We send our thoughts to her three sons, seven grandchildren, and all those who have and will continue to cherish her.