Monterrey native Manuel Zogbi was chosen as one of 80 lucky finalists to participate in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at the Carnegie Hall in New York on April 15. Zogbi is one of only two Mexicans to be selected for the competition after 3,000 musicians from 70 countries had uploaded their videos onto YouTube at the beginning of this year which judges - made from a panel including musicians from the London, Berlin and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras - whittled them down to 200 finalists who were then subjected to a vote by YouTube members to select the final 80.

An all expenses paid for trip to New York's famous Carnegie Hall awaits Zogbi after he impressed the panel of judges with  his interpretation of "Eroica" by Tan Dun - who scored the Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Sleeping Dragon" - and Bach's Sonata No. 1 in G Minor.

"I hope being picked for the final will give me the opportunity to get more work," enthused Zogbi via phone from Saltillo, Coahuila, where he now lives.

Zogbi, who has shared the stage with artists such as Chuck Mangione, Raul Di Blasio and Henry Brun and has performed in countries as varied as Turkey, France, United States, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, has never participated in a competition of this kind before. "This is a totally new experience for me," he said.

The violinist will be giving a concert this Friday entitled "Pimp My Vivaldi" and will feature the composer's much loved Four Seasons concertos but with a modern twist.

"I'm going to be performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons but as a contemporary version. There will be a string orchestra but also piano, bass, drums and percussion. It's a very modern interpretation." said Zogbi.

The other Mexican finalist, who hails from Xalapa, Veracruz, and who goes by the user name "Intinsamente", was chosen for his work with the viola.

The concert itself will be transmitted on YouTube on April 16 and will be conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas who leads the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

So far, YouTube has kept the winning finalists in the dark as to what music they will be performing in New York.

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