Violinist Wen-Lei Gu connects with students, audience
She had a Lawrence symphony concert and a Midwest tour to prepare for, but violinist Wen-Lei Gu couldn’t turn down the Appleton North High School orchestra.
So in addition to preparing concertos for the concert and tour, the internationally acclaimed musician worked on Beethoven’s Violin Concerto to play with the teenage musicians.
“The students were in awe,” says North orchestra director Gary Wolfman. “Professionals sometimes do a movement (with a high school orchestra), but she did the whole concerto.”
Music is the essence of Wen-Lei Gu’s life, and the Lawrence music professor is not one to keep things to herself. The superb violinist is a passionate performer who plays to enrich her audience and teaches to give others the techniques and musical knowledge that have meant so much in her own life.
“I know that it is something that will stay with them for life,” she says. “Their lives will be so much richer because of music. For me that’s really gratifying.”
Just Gu It
Gu knows a thing or two about being a music student. The native of Guangzhou, the third largest city in China, began studying piano and violin at age 3. By 6 she was performing for the president of China and by 12 was the best violinist in her homeland.
A graduate of New York’s acclaimed Julliard School, the 30-year-old is serious about music but has an easy laugh and a sense of humor. Her university students are so fond of her that they’ve launched a Facebook site they’ve dubbed “Just Gu It.”
“It’s like a Wen-Lei Gu fan club,” explains student Sarah Sankovich. “Professor Gu often has the entire studio class in stitches. She makes funny comments and observations, sometimes at unexpected moments, and it always catches us by surprise.”
“I would describe Ms. Gu as being extremely passionate about her art but also deeply caring toward her students,” adds student Katie Ekberg. “She believes in everyone and wants to see each student succeed in their own way. At the same time, she never lets her intensity become overbearing, she’s always cheerful and encouraging.”
