Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Email: contact@evergreeninspiration.org
Website: evergreeninspiration.org
Phone: (516) 269-0744
Young Juilliard Pre-College Musicians Bring the Healing Power of Live Music to The Nicholas Center in Second "A Heartfelt Concert Series" Performance
Six young performers deliver a classical-and-film-music concert for the participants of The Nicholas Center to welcome the first week of summer
PORT WASHINGTON, NY — June 26, 2026 — On a Friday afternoon at the start of summer, a group of young musicians transformed a conference room at The Nicholas Center into a concert hall, performing works spanning three centuries — from a Baroque suite to beloved film and Broadway melodies — for the center’s participants, staff, and families. The event marked the second concert of A Heartfelt Concert Series, an initiative bringing live music to those who need it most, led by Norman Yao of the nonprofit Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
The one-hour performance, held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., featured Norman Yao (double bass), Emily Sun(cello), Ellie Liu (violin), Bryan Liu (cello), and Justin Du (snare drum) — all Juilliard Pre-College students, and Emily’s brother, Eddie Sun (piano). Well before the 1:30 p.m. start, the musicians gathered at the Port Washington Public Library at noon — more than an hour early — to warm up and rehearse together.
The program opened with Norman Yao performing Serge Koussevitzky’s Double Bass Concerto in E Minor, Op. 3, accompanied by Juilliard-trained pianist Zoey Zhou. Eddie Sun followed with Ennio Morricone’s “Playing Love” from The Legend of 1900, and Justin Du performed Anthony J. Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm No. 17 on snare drum. The Sunny Duo — Emily Sun (cello) and Eddie Sun (piano) — offered Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow,” after which Ellie Liu (violin) and Bryan Liu (cello) performed Antonín Dvořák’s Humoresques. Emily Sun and Norman Yao then joined forces for Gioachino Rossini’s Duet for Cello and Double Bass.
The concert closed with the full ensemble — Ellie Liu, Bryan Liu, Emily Sun, Eddie Sun, Justin Du, and Norman Yao — performing the traditional America the Beautiful, drawing warm applause from participants and staff who had gathered to listen.
Following the performance, staff at The Nicholas Center expressed their deep appreciation for the impact of the concert. On behalf of the center's participants and staff, Administrative Assistant Risa Luk shared how meaningful the event was for their community.
“Their talent, enthusiasm, and kindness created such a special experience for everyone,” Luk stated. “It was wonderful to see the joy and engagement the music brought our participants. It was evident that everyone involved put their heart into making the performance meaningful. Their performance made a lasting impression, and we are so grateful they chose to share their gifts with our community.”
“The mission of A Heartfelt Concert Series is simple but deeply felt: to bring the healing power of live music to those who need it most — hospital patients, senior residents, and individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Norman Yao, co-founder of Evergreen Inspiration Inc. “We believe that music reaches places that medicine alone cannot.”
About Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Founded in 2022 by Juilliard Pre-College artists, Evergreen Inspiration Inc. fosters musical excellence and community healing. Alongside providing tuition-free summer intensives, financial aid, and weekly mentorship to Evergreen Charter School's high school orchestra , the organization launched A Heartfelt Concert Series in May 2026. This monthly outreach project brings live classical and film music directly to individuals who need it most—including cardiovascular patients and adults with developmental disabilities. Guided by the belief that music reaches places medicine alone cannot, Evergreen Inspiration ensures high-quality music remains a source of comfort, inclusion, and inspiration for all.
About The Nicholas Center
The Nicholas Center, Ltd, located at 382 Main Street in Port Washington, New York, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to revolutionizing the way Autistic adults learn, live and work. The Center creates innovative programs and services that support individuals with autism through life-skills development, vocational training, supported employment, and community inclusion (tncnewyork.org).
Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Email: contact@evergreeninspiration.org
Website: evergreeninspiration.org
Phone: (516) 269-0744
Norman and Young Juilliard Pre-College Musicians Launch "A Heartfelt Concert Series" at St. Francis Hospital
Five performers ages 10–16 deliver classical concert for cardiac patients and families on Memorial Day weekend
ROSLYN, NY — May 24, 2026 — On a rainy Sunday afternoon during Memorial Day weekend, five young musicians transformed the lobby of St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center into a concert hall, performing works spanning three centuries of music for cardiac patients, their families, and hospital staff. The event marked the inaugural concert of A Heartfelt Concert Series, a new initiative by Dr. Lin Wang of St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center and Norman Yao of nonprofit Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
The one-hour performance, held during the hospital's Sunday visiting hours, featured solos by Norman Yao (double bass), Bryan Liu (cello), Justin Du (glockenspiel), Ellie Liu (violin), all Juilliard Pre-College students, and Eddie Sun (piano).
The program opened with Norman Yao performing Minuets I and II from J.S. Bach's Suite No. 1 on double bass, followed by Bryan Liu's rendition of the Courante and Gigue from Bach's Cello Suite No. 2. Justin Du performed an excerpt from Mozart's The Magic Flute on glockenspiel in a transcription by Taylor Hoang, Ellie Liu performed Wieniawski's Caprice No. 4, Op. 18 on violin, and Eddie Sun delivered the first movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor.
The concert closed with the full ensemble performing Aaron Copland's Simple Gifts and the traditional hymn Amazing Grace, drawing emotional reactions from patients and visitors who had gathered in the lobby.
The hospital's chaplain, a Sister who had stopped during her shift to listen, remarked afterward: "I always love music. It's great to watch young people who are so talented. It's amazing. You have a big heart. It's wonderful that you thought about those who are not feeling right, and you want to make their life a little bit better. Keep doing what you do! God bless you!"
Dr. Lin Wang, representing St. Francis Hospital, offered closing remarks. "On behalf of St. Francis Hospital, thank you for spending part of this Memorial Day weekend with us. To our performers — ranging from just 10 to 16 years old — you are really remarkable. Music heals in ways that medicine cannot, and that means everything to us." Dr. Wang also extended thanks to the audience and to the hospital's administration, "whose support and commitment made today possible.
"The mission of A Heartfelt Concert Series is simple but deeply felt: to bring the healing power of live music to those who need it most — hospital patients, senior residents, and individuals with developmental disabilities," said Norman Yao, co-founder and officer of Evergreen Inspiration Inc. "We believe that music reaches places that medicine alone cannot."
The event was emceed by Sara Yu, a student at Jericho High School who serves as Director of Communications for The Heartfelt Concert Series.
About Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Founded in 2022 by Juilliard Pre-College artists, Phoebe and Norman, Evergreen Inspiration is dedicated to fostering musical excellence within underserved communities. Through our weekly mentorship of the Evergreen Charter School orchestra, tuition-free summer intensives, and side‑by-side performances with our students, we provide the essential financial aid and Inspiration Scholarships that ensure high-quality music education remains a right, not a privilege.
About St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center
Founded in 1922 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is New York's only specialty-designated cardiac center, located at 100 Port Washington Boulevard in Roslyn, New York.
Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Email: contact@evergreeninspiration.org
Website: evergreeninspiration.org
Phone: (516) 269-0744
PORT WASHINGTON, NY – July 12, 2025 – Evergreen Inspiration Inc., a non-profit organization founded by Juilliard Pre-College students, is proud to announce its Annual Charity Concert 2025. The event will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:30 PM in the Lapham Meeting Room of the Port Washington Public Library, located at 1 Library Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050.
The hour-long concert will showcase the talents of six exceptional Juilliard Pre-College musicians: violinist Elizabeth Lee, violist Gary Han, cellist Phoebe Qian, double bassist Norman Yao, clarinetist Michael Sun, and baritone Isaac Ahn. The program will feature captivating chamber music, including classical pieces uniquely rearranged by Evergreen Inspiration musicians, such as Rossini’s String Quartet No. 2 and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet. This concert aims to highlight the beauty of chamber music, a less common focus for students in Nassau County who often have extensive solo and orchestra experience.
Following the performance, the musicians will share unique insights into their musical journeys, including their experiences with chamber music and conservatory life at Juilliard Pre-College.
Evergreen Inspiration is committed to providing high-quality music education to underserved communities across New York State. This mission began in 2022 with a mentoring project launched by Phoebe Qian. Over the past three years, Phoebe, joined by Norman for the last two, has been weekly mentoring the high school orchestra at Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, a community facing significant resource challenges. In 2024, Phoebe and Norman officially founded Evergreen Inspiration Inc. to expand this vital effort and engage more Juilliard Pre-College students in the cause. Ahead of this year’s concert, the organization will host a two-week, tuition free summer music camp for students at Evergreen Charter School. Driven by the belief that "everyone deserves a life enriched by music," Evergreen Inspiration aims to bring music education and opportunity to schools nationwide that face similar barriers.
This concert also serves as a platform to raise awareness for these often-overlooked communities. During the event, Evergreen Inspiration will present a $1000 Inspiration Music Program Award to Evergreen Charter School, supporting its ongoing musical development. Additionally, in the next school year, a $1000 Inspiration Scholarship will be awarded to a dedicated high school student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to learning music. Twenty students from the Evergreen High School orchestra, accompanied by their music teacher Mr. Rincon, will attend the concert to accept the award and share in the celebration. Nassau County government representatives will also be in attendance to acknowledge the musicians' volunteer contributions.
Admission to the concert is complimentary and open to all classical music enthusiasts and learners aged 6 and older. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance to help with planning.
The Evergreen Inspiration Annual Charity Concert is generously sponsored by Chinese Giving Circle (CGC). Additional collaboration is provided by the Great Neck Chinese Association (GNCA), the Greater Port Washington Chinese American Association (GPWCAA), and the Chinese American Association of East Williston (CAAEW).
Event Details:
What: Evergreen Inspiration Annual Charity Concert 2025
When: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Port Washington Public Library, Lapham Meeting Room, 1 Library Dr., Port Washington, NY 11050
Admission: Complimentary for ages 6 and up. Advance registration encouraged.
Contact:
contact@evergreeninspiration.org
Registration：
Evergreen Inspiration Inc.
Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, New York
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