Clark Pang’s favorite composers are Robert Schumann and Grace Vamos. This seven-year-old cellist says that Schumann’s propensity for long notes gives him a chance to stretch his arm, while Vamos, a contemporary composer from Danville, gives him the opportunity to play fast and with a sense of humor.
Pang recently won first place and a scholarship in the Elementary Division of the Vamos Competition sponsored by the Contra Costa String Association. It was his first competition. Last summer, Clark was invited to play at the Music Teachers’ Association of California convention. Clark’s teacher, Ariel Witbeck, believes Clark has what it takes to make it in cello, or whatever he decides to do. But she doesn’t give Clark all the credit for his success.
“The Pangs are a just a lovely, functioning family. And as a teacher, I know there are a lot of families in this area that aren’t functioning. When I teach music, I involve in the whole family — you have to,” Witbeck remarked.
Clark’s mom, Elena, laughs as she recounts the family’s learning curve in supporting a cellist. Elena is a concert pianist and older daughter Chloe seems to be traveling the same path. As Elena says, when you play piano, all you have to do is show up and the instrument is waiting for you. With cello, “we have to load the car with the instrument, and Clark’s special chair, and the rock-stop — there is just so much more to do. But every time before he plays, his sister goes and whispers in his ear, ‘You’re the best cello player ever,’ and she screamed the loudest when he won,” Elena recalled.
I have been fortunate enough to visit the Pang’s house several times, and there may not be a more nurturing arts environment in Lamorinda. Some of that environment is intangible, as if the walls, carpet and furniture have soaked up an artsy glow. Physical indicators of the ambience come from framed art in the entryway, all works done by the Pang children. And it looks like the Pangs are running out of room in the kitchen and dining areas for all the Chloe and Clark artwork hanging in there. These piece aren’t hanging crooked by refrigerator magnets, but rather each one is distinctly featured.
Witbeck’s comments caused me to recall how Stanley Middle School music director Bob Athayde once ran down a list of some of his most successful students of past and present. After naming each one and giving me a thumbnail about how they were not only an asset to the music classes, but were also leaders in the school’s academic and sports programs, he would follow up with the phrase, “two squared-away, put-together parents.” He would say something like, “Sue Smith, squared-away kid: violinist, an excellent writer and basketball player. Two squared-away, put-together parents.”
I’ve interviewed visual arts teachers, dance teachers and other music teachers who, without the catchy turn of phrase, echo the sentiment that success in the arts is a team effort for the whole family, not just the student. And the involvement needs to go beyond badgering the child the practice and reminding him or her how much private lessons cost.
All this has just reiterated for me how none of us can do it alone, whether our thing is the arts, sports or bug collecting. Around here, the soccer parents who haul their kids to practices and games, or the families who spend entire Saturdays at swim meets, get more PR than families who load up the minivan with band instruments and carpool to Fresno for a music festival. They’re all helping to shape a success story, though.
I know that there are those stand-out kids who manage to make it seemingly on their own, but most likely even they have found a “family” to support their endeavors. This supportive family just doesn’t happen to share their blood and often carries the title of “teacher,” “friend” or perhaps someone else’s family. And I’m sure we all knew at least one kid growing up who wasn’t very successful and whose parents never showed up at the concert or the game or open house at school.
It will take a village to carry Clark on its shoulders down the path his life is meant to tread. If you find you are not part of someone’s village right now, consider looking for a flashing “vacancy” sign and taking up residence.