Ginny Tiu

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

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

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. ^ "2018 LeaderLuncheon profile: Ginny Tiu". YWCA O'ahu. 2018-05-04. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  2. ^ Berger, John (2018-09-08). "On the Scene with Ginny Tiu". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  3. ^ Inman (2005), p. 92–106.
  4. ^ "Today on TV". Buffalo Courier Express. October 19, 1959. p. 23.
  5. ^ a b c Barker, Rosa (2022-05-02). "My Heart's Song". Generations Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  6. ^ a b 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. ^ Neibaur, James L. (2014-04-04). The Elvis Movies. Rowman & Littlefield Unlimited Model. p. 101. ISBN 9781442230736.
  8. ^ Inman (2005), p. 210.
  9. ^ Pata, Chad (2014-04-29). "Born To Play Piano – And Help Others". MidWeek. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  10. ^ a b "Ginny Tiu". Animal Legal Defense Fund. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  11. ^ "James Lee and Ginny Tiu join Foundation Board". University of Hawaii Foundation. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  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.