From the practice rooms of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra (FWYO) to his thriving dental practice in Fort Worth, FWYO Board Member and Alumni Committee Chair Dr. Johnny Cheng exemplifies how lessons learned through music can resonate far beyond the concert stage.
Dr. Cheng played violin in FWYO ensembles from 1984 to 1990, including both the Jr. Youth Orchestra and the flagship Youth Orchestra. A standout memory from his time with FWYO was joining the England, Scotland, and Wales international performance tour in 1987, a transformative experience that left a lasting impact. The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra still tours regularly, most recently the performance tour to Spain in July 2024.
After graduating from FWYO, Dr. Cheng began his studies at Baylor University, where he initially pursued violin performance before pivoting to eventually earn a B.S. in Biology. While his career path shifted to dentistry, music has remained a constant in his life. He performed with the Baylor Symphony under Stephen Hyde and later joined the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra (2000-2003). For over a decade, he played with Christ Chapel Bible Church’s Contemporary Worship Team (2008-2020) and currently performs with the Fort Worth Medical Orchestra, balancing his passion for music with his dedication to his profession.
Dr. Cheng has been a practicing dentist in Fort Worth since 1999, and now reflects on how his time with FWYO shaped his personal and professional life. “Being a member of FWYO at such a young age taught me the meaning of working hard to produce an excellent result,” he shared. “It taught me that if you surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you, it elevates your own excellence and proves that anything is possible.” He also credits FWYO with teaching him how to perform under pressure and collaborate effectively as part of a team—skills that have been invaluable in his career.
Dr. Johnny Cheng’s story is a testament to the enduring power of music education and the unique role FWYO plays in shaping its members’ futures, on or off the stage.
Dr. Cheng is leading a new effort as part of our 60th Season to connect with alumni as Chair of the FWYO Alumni Committee! If you are an alumni, here are a few ways you can get involved:
Register as an alumni at https://www.fwyo.org/alumni
Join us in the 60th Anniversary Alumni Orchestra on Feb. 22, 2025 at TCU by sharing your interest here.
Join our Alumni Groups on Facebook!
Have a great story or experience to share in a feature like this? Shoot us a message at alumni@fwyo.org!
Interested in serving in a leadership capacity or volunteering? Fill out this survey and get in touch with us by sending an email to alumni@fwyo.org!
About FWYO:
Celebrating 60 years of extraordinary music education during the 2024-2025 season, the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra has won local, national, and international recognition as one of the finest youth orchestra programs in the United States. Through eight programs - including four major orchestras, a Wind Ensemble, FWYO Suzuki School, Chamber Programs, and Jazz - the FWYO delivers high quality musical instruction to more than 430 students ranging in age from four to eighteen years, and represents communities throughout North Texas.
Founded by a community group headed by Betty Utter and under the direction of conductors Ezra Rachlin and John Giordano, the FWYO was founded to promote and inspire the continuing development of musical talent in qualified area youth through intensive education in classical orchestral rooted music and performance. The programs offers students the opportunity to further develop their talent as well as their leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence, and pride in personal achievement. Many of the nearly 20,000 alumni of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra program have gone on to become members of major symphony orchestras, music educators, or leaders in their fields.
The Orchestra's accomplishments include international concert tours in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Far East; music festivals in Switzerland and Washington, D.C.; and numerous other concert appearances across Texas and the Southwest. Its most recent tour in 2024 was to Spain with performances in Barcelona, Valencia, and Cullera. The Youth Orchestra has also been honored to perform with artists such as Van Cliburn, Jose Feghali, Yakov Kasman, Tamàs Ungàr, and John Owings, and composers Morton Gould and Samuel Adler. In 2021, the FWYO also received 2nd in the Youth Orchestra Division of the prestigious American Prize and is again a finalist for the 2024 American Prize with both the Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Germán Gutiérrez since 2000 and Executive Director Andrew Reynolds since 2021, the FWYO has become one of North Texas’ most prestigious performing arts organizations. In addition to its educational programs, the FWYO owns and operates historic Orchestra Hall in Foster Park that has been home to numerous performing arts organizations since 1975.
Press Inquiries: Lauren Arie - larie@fwyo.org / 817-923-3121 x18
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