Ginny_Tiu

Ginny Tiu

Ginny Tiu

American philanthropist and former child piano prodigy

Virginia "Ginny" Tiu (born 1954) is an American philanthropist and former child piano prodigy.

Tiu in a 1962 publicity photo for the television special Stan Freberg Presents: Chinese New Year's Special

Career

Tiu began playing the piano when she was three, with her father as her first teacher.[1][2] On May 3, 1959, Tiu appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time; she continued to appear on the show several times throughout 1960.[3]

Tiu appeared as Chow-Lee on The Danny Thomas Show in the episode "The China Doll," which aired on October 19, 1959.[4]

In 1962, she performed in front of John F. Kennedy.[5][6] She also appeared in the film Girls! Girls! Girls! as Mai Ling, performing "Earth Boy" with Elvis Presley and her sister Elizabeth.[7]

In 1968, she appeared on The Jonathan Winters Show with her family.[8]

In 2014, Tiu received the Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Noblesse Oblige Service Award from the Maryknoll School.[9] In 2018, she was awarded Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.[10]

In June 2021, Tiu joined the Animal Legal Defense Fund board.[10] In August, she joined the University of Hawaii Foundation board of trustees.[11] As of May 2022, she serves on the board of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the University of Hawaii Foundation Board of Trustees and the Animal Legal Defense Fund.[5][12]

Personal life

Tiu was born in the Philippines, the middle child of nine siblings including Vicky Cayetano.[5] Tiu lived in Southern California, Chicago and San Francisco before moving to Hawaii in 1987.[6]

References

  1. [1]
    "2018 LeaderLuncheon profile: Ginny Tiu". YWCA O'ahu. 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  2. [2]
    Berger, John (2018-09-08). "On the Scene with Ginny Tiu". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  3. [3]
    Inman (2005), p. 92–106.
  4. [4]
    "Today on TV". Buffalo Courier Express. October 19, 1959. p. 23.
  5. [5]
    Barker, Rosa (2022-05-02). "My Heart's Song". Generations Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  6. [6]
    Berger, John (2004-01-29). "Ginny Tiu, in her 10th year starring at the Moana Surfrider, has spent a lifetime in song". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  7. [7]
    Neibaur, James L. (2014-04-04). The Elvis Movies. Rowman & Littlefield Unlimited Model. p. 101. ISBN 9781442230736.
  8. [8]
    Inman (2005), p. 210.
  9. [9]
    Pata, Chad (2014-04-29). "Born To Play Piano – And Help Others". MidWeek. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  10. [10]
    "Ginny Tiu". Animal Legal Defense Fund. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  11. [11]
    "James Lee and Ginny Tiu join Foundation Board". University of Hawaii Foundation. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  12. [12]
    Kubota, Lisa (2018-05-09). "YWCA Oahu honoree: Ginny Tiu". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 2023-03-14.

Sources

  • Inman, David M. (2005-11-16). Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs. McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers. ISBN 9780786421985.
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