Category: Performing Arts

American Treasures: The Symphonies of Howard Hanson

He wrote one of the most widely performed symphonies of the early 20th century but is virtually forgotten today. American composer Howard Hanson (1896–1981) was a self-professed Romantic whose works richly deserve to be revived and restored to global musical consciousness. By “self-professed,” I refer to the title Hanson gave his Symphony No. 2, “Romantic,”…


The Musical Leaves of Autumn: A Short Playlist

The changing seasons of the year have always inspired artists, just as they tend to refresh us all. In music, the seasons have inspired great popular songs and classical compositions alike. As far as the classical composers, Antonio Vivaldi, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Joseph Haydn, Alexander Glazunov, Vaughan Williams, and several modern composers titled one of their…


Imagine 2,300 Years of Musical Instruments Under One Roof!

My work as a composer has taken me with some regularity to New York City, and each time I’ve had a bucket list of things I’ve either always wanted to do or wanted to do again during my free time there. One of those “do agains” has been to visit the huge Metropolitan Museum of…


Arthur Miller’s ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’ From a Natural Theater Lens

In February 1949, Arthur Miller’s essay “Tragedy and the Common Man” appeared in “The New York Times,” a mere two weeks after the premiere of his most acclaimed play, “Death of a Salesman.”  Considered by some to be the justification for the “tragedy” of Willie Loman, the piece—which never mentions Loman or the play itself—nevertheless…


Gold Winner Marilyn Yang: ‘I Have a Bigger Responsibility to Revive This Culture’

Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Marilyn Yang won the Gold Award at the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, which took place Sept. 2–5 in New York state. “This is something that can only motivate me to work harder in my profession,” she said. “In dance, there’s no such thing as ‘perfect’ or ‘you’ve reached…


Gold Winner Stanley Lin: ‘I Look Forward to Doing My Best’

Fei Tian Academy of the Arts’ Stanley Lin won the Gold Award in the Adult Male Division in the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, which took place Sept. 2–5 in New York state. “Well I’m surprised—I’ve participated in this competition three times now, and I had no expectations to win the Gold Award,” Lin…


Gold Winner Lillian Parker: ‘Art Is Endless’

Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Lillian Parker won the Gold Award in the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, which took place Sept. 2–5 in New York state. “I’m pretty surprised! This time I tried to make progress with how my movements look and getting more flavor in my dancing—that’s something different than before, and I feel…


Gold Winner Johnny Tsai: ‘I Want to Express This Traditional Culture to Viewers’

Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Johnny Tsai won the Gold Award in the Junior Male Division of the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition, which took place Sept. 2 to Sept. 5 in New York state. Over 100 dancers from around the world participated, and 52 made it into the finals on Sept. 5. “I’m really…


Gold Winner Carol Huang: ‘I Want to Show Them the Beauty of Classical Chinese Dance’

Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Carol Huang took home the Gold Award at the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition in the Junior Female Division yet again. “Actually, I wasn’t thinking about the awards or placements at all when I entered the competition,” Huang said. “I participated to improve in my art—and I learned so much…


Dancers Awarded at NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition

Fifty-two dancers participated in the final rounds of the 9th NTD International Classical Chinese Dance Competition in New York state on Sept. 5, bringing the lost dance skills alive on the stage and participating in the revival of traditional culture. The classical Chinese dance competition is one in a series of international cultural and arts events aimed…