Senator Sean Ryan Selects Yuki Numata Resnick As 2023 ‘Women Of Distinction’ Honoree
May 17, 2023
SENATOR SEAN RYAN SELECTS YUKI NUMATA RESNICK AS 2023 ‘WOMEN OF DISTINCTION’ HONOREE
Accomplished Violinist Co-Founded Buffalo String Works to Promote Equitable Access to Youth Music Education in Western New York
ALBANY – On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, New York State Senator Sean Ryan recognized Yuki Numata Resnick, an accomplished violinist, nonprofit leader, and educator, as a member of the 2023 New York State Senate Women of Distinction class of honorees.
Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Resnick held the position of Assistant Professor of Music at the University at Buffalo from 2013-2016. During this time, she co-founded Buffalo String Works, a music program focused on leadership development and social change. As executive director from 2019-2023, Resnick steadily grew the organization’s capacity to serve over 150 refugees, immigrants, and historically marginalized youth. At the time of her departure, Buffalo String Works employed 22 staff and faculty, and had a budget of $1 million.
As a violinist, Resnick has performed on stages ranging from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall, and has played with and recorded for bands including The National, Beirut, Local Natives, Lisa Hannigan, and Arcade Fire. Most recently, she recorded for Taylor Swift and can be heard on Swift’s Midnights, Folklore, Evermore, Fearless – Taylor’s Version, and Red – Taylor’s Version albums. She is also a featured musician on Ed Sheeran’s recently released record, Subtract. In 2016, she released For Ko, her debut solo record featuring brand new works by living composers, and she has concertized throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America.
Resnick is currently Director of Arts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Her role interacts closely with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s $100 million commitment to transforming the long-term viability of Western New York’s arts and culture community through the establishment of an endowment to support the sector now and into the future.
Senator Sean Ryan said, “It is my privilege to recognize Yuki Numata Resnick for the important work she has done for underserved communities in Buffalo. With Buffalo String Works, she has used her gift to inspire children who too often miss out on the arts education available to their peers. She is an incredible musician and an even better person, and her commitment to ensuring children in Western New York have access to the arts makes this a well-deserved honor.”
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