I know there are a lot of people in New Jersey who are thankful for Richard Tang Yuk – for his efforts, especially, though not exclusively, as founding executive and artistic director of The Princeton Festival.

For 16 years, Tang Yuk, who died on October 23 at the age of 65, busted his hump pulling together a roster of exceptional performers and ensembles to present music in a variety of genres, all organized around a most ambitious centerpiece: world-class opera mounted at McCarter Theatre.

Prior to that, he worked with the Opera Festival of New Jersey, a precursor of the Princeton Festival, for ten seasons.

He was also a devoted educator, who served on the faculties of Westminster Conservatory of Music, Indiana University Bloomington, and Princeton University.

Richard’s influence extended far beyond New Jersey. In particular, he contributed immensely to the development of music within his native Trinidad and Tobago.

Now a scholarship fund has been set up in his memory, by his family, to continue his mission of music education there. If you were/are a friend, a former student, a colleague, a music lover, or simply someone who was touched by him and moved by his efforts, please consider supporting the fund by way of the announcement in this image. It’s a wonderful way to honor Richard’s legacy.

Feel free to share this post, and thank you for considering!