Highlights of Midori’s Boulder Residency • Citizen Artist Talk 1 p.m. today, Naropa University’s Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; free; boulderphil.org/event/citizen-artist-talk-with-midori • Glitter Gala to benefit the Boulder Phil and GBYO 5:30 p.m. today, Rocky Mountain Metro Airport, 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield; $20-$2,000; squareup.com/store/gbyo/item/glitter-gala-ticket?t=modal-em • Boulder Phil performance of Sibelius Violin Concerto 7 p.m. Sunday, Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St. #104, Boulder; $5-$76; boulderphil.org • Performance with GBYO of Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Mvt. 3, and Daniel Kellogg world premiere 6 p.m. Monday, Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St. #104, Boulder; $10-$100; squareup.com/store/gbyo/item/adult-ticket?t=modal-em More info on residency: greaterboulderyo.org

By the time world-renowned violinist Midori Goto (who performs under the mononym Midori) was 11 years old, she had already performed with the New York Philharmonic.

In 1986, at age 14, two of her strings broke during a performace of Leonard Bernstein’s “Serenade after Plato’s Symposium,” under the direction of Bernstein himself. After one string broke, she swapped her instrument for that of the concertmaster with complete composure. Then after a second string snapped, she swapped the concertmaster’s with that of the associate concertmaster, resuming her playing like a pro. Midori conjured cheers and a standing ovation. Her resourceful rescue landed the teen on the front page of the “New York Times,” further solidifying her an unparalleled talent.

The iconic Japanese-born American musician and educator, now in her 40s, landed in Colorado Wednesday for an immersive residency with the Boulder Philharmonic and the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras (GBYO), two groups selected to host the virtuoso from a national pool of applicants in a competitive selection process.

Midori’s short time in the Front Range will include workshops, performances and events focused on youth and civic engagement. The city of Boulder will recognize Midori with an official commendation, according to the Boulder Phil.

While her Sunday play-along session with community musicians at Naropa’s Performing Arts Center is already filled to capacity, there are a couple other opportunities to catch the virtuoso in action.

“Throughout the past couple of months we’ve been preparing the students for Midori’s arrival,” said Brian Jack, executive director of Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras. “This is a really big deal. It’s one thing for someone of this caliber to come to your hometown, it’s another for her to come and work directly with Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras. We are very excited. To play alongside her is a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

From a child prodigy performing at age 6 to a United Nations Messenger of Peace, Midori has put just as much heart into her musical career as she has her activism. Using music as a way to connect people, foster community and incite change, she continues to pursue humanitarian efforts. Not afraid to go beyond the spotlighted concert halls and bring her gift to those who rarely have access to the art, she’s performed for survivors of Mexico’s devastating earthquake of September 2017 and secured funds for numerous rebuilding efforts.

Being able to bring such a powerhouse performer, with such an expansive career, to guide Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras fills Jack with much pride, he said. As executive director he said he revels in bearing witness to the goals his students reach both on and off stage.

“We see not only their music progress and develop, but we see them become well-rounded individuals and amazing people,” said Jack. “Boulder has the third highest concentration of artists in the country. Working with the next generation of this community and culture is inspiring. Seeing what they are able to accomplish in their lives in truly moving.”

Monday night, at the University of Colorado’s Macky Auditorium, Midori will join members of Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras and local, critically-acclaimed composer Daniel Kellogg for the world premiere of his latest offering, “Cicero’s Dream.”

“It’s a beautiful work that will feature all of the string players from Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras’ three orchestras all at once, plus soloist Charles Wetherbee, concertmaster of the Boulder Phil and professor at CU,” said Jack.”It’s a commission by GBYO, the Boulder Phil and several local high schools who will perform the work later.”

Midori will also be a special guest at Saturday’s “Glitter! Gala” — an event created to raise funding for the Boulder Philharmonic and Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras. This year, an airport hanger at The Rocky Mountain Metro Airport will be transformed into a luminescent and glamorous space rich with performances, champagne and cuisine from Three Leaf Concepts.

In early February, Boulder residents can keep an eye out for flash-mob style performances where members of Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras surprise pedestrians with impromptu concerts, said Jack. In prior years, they have serenaded shoppers at McGuckin Hardware, local bookstores and the lobby at Dairy Arts Center.

Always looking to expand its tribe of dedicated up-and-coming musicians, the youth orchestras hold auditions to take in new members every year in November, January and May.

“GBYO is very inclusive,” said Jack. “In our history, stretching back to 1984, no student has ever been turned away for financial reasons. And with three levels of orchestras, there’s a home for everyone. A little more than half of our students go on to study music in college.”

On April 20, Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras will dig even deeper creatively with “Score” — an interactive performance where audience members, musicians and composer Andy Reiner will organically craft a piece of music on the spot.

“All year round we offer outstanding concerts,” said Jack. “Performances are a big hit with community members who value youth and music. Whatever it is you love about life, you can find in classical music. It’s for everyone of any age, social and economic background or culture. It’s universal.”

Kalene McCort: 303-473-1107, kmccort@prairiemountainmedia.com.