Celebration of Music - Talent Search

Mitchell Yeoh is from Fairfield, Connecticut. He is a Junior at Harvard University, with Concentrations in Economics and Finance.

Mitchell has been playing the piano for 15 years and the violin for 13 years. For piano, he is coached by Ms. Kathy Bakes, a Steinway Artist. Mitchell has performed at a wide range of venues, including Carnegie Hall, Hudson Theater in New York City, Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport, Grand Central Station, the Steinway Gallery, and the National Grand Concert Hall in Beijing, China. He has also provided music recitals at libraries, hospitals, universities and schools. Mitchell has participated in the Young Musicians Festival of Connecticut as a pianist for ten years, earning three Gold Cups, eight Gold certificates and two Silver certificates. Mitchell is also a three-time District Winner at the level of Critics Circle for the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

Mitchell performed as a Principal Violinist in the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, and toured and performed in four major cities in China with his orchestra. In 2013, Mitchell’s orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall in Tim Janis’ “The American Christmas Carol” with Jackie Evancho and Sir James Galway, the world renowned flautist. Mitchell was First Violin for the Fairfield County Strings Festival for three years.

In 2013, Mitchell was awarded Second Place in the Connecticut State Parent Teacher Association Competition for Original Music Composition. In 2014, Mitchell was also awarded Second Place in the Connecticut State Parent Teacher Association Competition for Original Film Production.

Mitchell was born chronically ill with rare genetic diseases: Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease and Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis, among other conditions. These affect, among other organs, his kidneys and liver. Mitchell is a recipient of two kidney transplants and one liver transplant. When he was an infant, he received his right kidney from his mother. In the Fall of 2014, Mitchell grew gravely ill and temporarily suspended his studies at Harvard. As his health rapidly deteriorated, Mitchell was very fortunate to receive both a liver and a kidney transplant from a donor at Yale-New Haven Hospital in February 2015. Mitchell is certified in administering home hemodialysis. Mitchell manages a social media channel to raise public awareness for organ donation.

Mitchell speaks multiple languages, and is learning Greek from his piano teacher. Mitchell is also an artist, sketching, drawing and painting using various mediums, including on the computer. One of Mitchell’s paintings in acrylics and a wooden sculpture were displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Mitchell has an immense love for drawing animal cartoon characters, especially horses and French Bulldogs, and hopes to publish books for children. Mitchell’s hobby is horse riding. In 2008, Mitchell was awarded the National Child Equestrian Rider of the Year award. Mitchell is also highly computer proficient, with programming skills, knowledge in animation and computer game design, web design, and developing financial spreadsheets. In 2007, Mitchell won Third Place in the Connecticut State Spelling Bee. Mitchell teaches music privately to younger musicians, including his thirteen year old brother. Mitchell’s quest is to help, encourage, and inspire others to overcome whatever challenges they face, and to live life to the fullest.