Our Objects and Possibilities
In Collaboration with Asian Musical Voices of America
Our Objects and Possibilities explores AAPI storytelling through performances of works by AAPI composers, interwoven with readings of works by AAPI writers. Objects—whether they are things of everyday use, poems, or songs—become treasured memories, especially for diasporic and immigrant communities, inspiring our individual and collective destinies. The musical program includes Ken Ueno’s Atlas of Crossed Destinies, duo for violin and viola inspired by Italo Calvino’s work and a facsimile of a 15th century set of illuminated tarot cards, Iman Habibi’s Âhūye Kūhī, a work for violin and cello based on an 8th century Farsi poem in which the composer expresses concern for our displacement and hope for our survival during the climate emergency, JungYoon Wie’s Han, a work for string quartet which includes the use of Korean folk songs and instruments to express the collective suffering of the Korean people, and a live world premiere of Michael Thomas Foumai’s Printing Kapa, duo for violin and harp inspired by kapa prints of contemporary Hawaiian artist Manaola, particularly the design of the ‘ūwila, or lightning bolt, a physical representation of the life force, embodying raw power of nature.
The event will create a collective space for storytelling by our diverse AAPI community of creatives - composers, musicians, and writers - and celebrate our most primal need to connect with our destinies, past, present, and future. Performers include violinists Lucia Lin, Jae Lee, and Hyeyung Sol Yoon, violist Sarah Darling, cellist Leo Eguchi, and harpist Charles Overton.
Pricing: Free, $13 suggested donation
Performance Time: Friday, May 6, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
COVID-19 Protocol:
In accordance with other performance venues in the City of Boston, Pao Arts Center’s will continue to require proof of vaccinations for entry into any performance or scheduled public program (drop – in gallery visits are exempt). Masks will continue to be required for entry into Pao Arts Center.
About the Artists
Sarah Darling, Viola
(she/her/hers)
Described as “a tireless force of musical curiosity, skill, and enthusiasm” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), Sarah Darling enjoys a varied musical career as a performer, educator, and musical co-conspirator on viola and baroque violin. She is a member of the Grammy-nominated self-conducted orchestra A Far Cry, as well as Boston Baroque, and many more Boston-based ensembles.
Leo Eguchi, Cello
(he/him/his)
Boston-based cellist Leo Eguchi, has been described as “copiously skilled and confident” (New York Times) with performances that were "played with passion and vitality" (Boston Music Intellegencer). Leo has performed extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia, and recent performing highlights include several Grammy-nominated recordings from Parma recordings and an artist residency in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Jae Cosmos Lee, Violin
(he/him/his)
American violinist, Jae Cosmos Lee, whose performances have been acclaimed as "Delicate and beautiful" (Syracuse Post-Standard) and "Bursting with color" (Boston Globe), is Concertmaster of the Cape Symphony (Cape Cod, MA), and the Boston Festival Orchestra, co-founder of A Far Cry, Grammy nominated, self conducted, democratically run chamber orchestra in Boston
Lucia Lin, Violin
(she/her/hers)
Lucia Lin is a member of the Boston Symphony orchestra, a founding member of the Boston Trio, and a current member of the Muir String Quartet. Her newest project “In Tandem” is brings new voices to classical music by commissioning ten emerging composers from the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music.
Charles Overton, Harp
(he/him/his)
Charles Overton is a Boston-based harpist and performer of classical, jazz, and world music. He was a finalist in the 2013 American Harp Society National Competition and became the first harpist to be admitted to the Berklee Global Jazz Institute. He is a founding member of the jazz ensemble Charles Overton Group and maintains an active performance career.
Hyeyung Sol Yoon, Violin
(she/her/hers)
Hyeyung Sol Yoon is a violinist and composer whose exploration of identity and belonging is at the center of her creative work. She was a member of the Chiara Quartet until their final season in 2018 and is the founder of AMVA and Open Space Music, whose mission is to gather and sustain a multicultural community of creatives.
Asian Musical Voices of America
Asian Musical Voices of America is a platform where stories can be shared by and for Asian diasporic musicians living and working in the US. AMVA is devoted to community-building and activism for change among Asians and Asian Americans working and creating in classical music. We educate ourselves on the ways structural racism is present in the field and engage in activism to dismantle structural racism, promote equity, and lift up BIPOC musical voices.
Performance of Jungyoon Wie’s Han is supported by the Korean Cultural Society of Boston.
Deep gratitude to the AMVA team, volunteer organizers - Eva Ding, Emily Master, Mansi Shah, April Sun, and founder Hyeyung Sol Yoon
Contact: Ashley Yung, ashley.yung@bcnc.net
