Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Lin Chew and Marijn Meijer.
Hi Cindy and Marijn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Cindy:
Music connects on an unimaginable level.
It all started with an introduction by a friend to a fabled chamber organization. What followed was a desire to bridge the generational divide, drawing in a young audience to a local gem that present timeless music impeccably performed by acclaimed artists. This led to the idea of creating a platform that empowers young musicians to explore the realm of chamber music and to collaborate with peers who share similar passions. Serendipity soon brought inspiring jazz educators to our organization. They encouraged a group of mostly classically trained youths to embrace their improvisational spirits, to play ‘off the books,’ and to turn perceived mistakes into creative opportunities. This labor of love gave birth to CMIYA Jazz, which later evolved into Youth Jazz International.
I am the founder of both the Chamber Music International Youth Ambassadors (CMIYA) and the Youth Jazz International (YJI) programs. Since the start of our youth jazz program, we have witnessed its organic growth and the enthusiastic responses from students, parents, and coaches. We have reached the maximum number of members allowed for this season – a testament to the fun students enjoy and to the friendships they build, as well as to the value parents see in improvisation for their children’s development. Of course, none of this could have happened without the guidance of our amazing jazz instructors. They set this program apart with their exemplary musicianship, skilled coaching, and extraordinary dedication to the students. I cannot be more grateful for them!
A BIG shout-out to our jazz coach, Marijn Meijer, who contributed significantly to this interview and is working on creating a youth jazz camp for us in the near future.
Follow us on Instagram for more exciting projects coming soon!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Cindy:
Diverse opinions differ on the priorities of every organization. We did not anticipate how quickly interest in our youth jazz program would grow, and this rapid growth may have ruffled some feathers. Youth Jazz International is now an independent organization in the process of becoming a nonprofit. Fortunately, we continue to garner strong support from our community, and guided by the principles of jazz, we improvise to transform life’s curveballs into drives that fuel our passion and unite the YJI community in our shared vision.
Marijn:
Improvising is challenging because freedom in music can feel like no boundaries exist to guide us. However, taking a step back to see one’s personal growth—or in the case of a new organization like YJI, the growth of its participants and the community at large—helps us maintain our focus on shared goals for the organization. Everyone has their own pace and their own struggles. Focusing on the long-term outcome, rather than stressing over small steps, will restore some of that feeling of freedom. Trusting yourself in everything you do helps you progress eventually, even if things don’t turn out the way you expected.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Marijn:
The Youth Jazz International community shares one vision: to introduce young musicians, wherever they are in their musical journey, to new insights in style and technique. This opens a door for them to discover a new dimension in music with a path to freedom and personal exploration.
Cindy:
We are a vibrant community of passionate supporters. Music connects. We invite you to join us on this joyous and imaginative ride in youth jazz as a sponsor, a patron, a collaborator, a participant, or in any capacity that suits you. Won’t you connect with us?
How do you think about luck?
Cindy:
I am firm in the belief that you make your own luck. However, this comes with the caveat that one must have infinite passion and strong conviction to sway the pendulum in his or her favor. YJI has been fortunate to have the support of many who lend their expertise and resources to help us continue and thrive. Yet we also have put in our share of hard work to make the organization what it is today. I feel lucky to be surrounded by supportive parents, dedicated coaches, and inquisitive students on this journey of creating something that brings joy and excitement to the community.
Marijn:
The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing what jazz music has done for the students. No longer confined to a script, these youths have the freedom to experiment, to make choices informed by their hearts, to venture into the unknown in search of the style that suits them, and perhaps in the process, to discover who they are.
Pricing:
- $575 per season – twice per month ensemble coaching September through May, including minimally two performances and one masterclass with a renowned jazz artist
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ youthjazzinternational/ - Facebook: facebook.com/
youthjazzinternational - Youtube: www.youtube.com/@
YouthJazzInternational
Image Credits
Cindy Lin
Scott Tixier
Marijn Meijer
