Performers

Professor Chi Li

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Li Chi is a highly accomplished performing artist on the erhu, the Chinese two-string bowed fiddle. After graduating from the Conservatory of Chinese Music in 1982, she served as the erhu soloist for the National Traditional Orchestra of China. In the 1980s, she frequently performed in presidential concerts in Beijing. In the United States she has been featured in concerts held at Madison Square Garden, the Lincoln Center, the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York and the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, among others. She is co-founder of the China Traditional Performing Arts Institute, advisor to the Los Angeles Chinese Music Ensemble, and director of the San Fernando Valley Chinese Music Ensemble. Li has been a faculty member in the UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology since 1998.

At UCLA, Li teaches group lessons in all the major Chinese instruments, the most popular of which are the erhu (2-string fiddle), zheng (bridged zither), dizi (flute), yangquin (hammered dulcimer), pipa (4-stringed plucked lute) and ruan (4-stringed plucked lute with a round body). Li occasionally teaches less popular instruments such as the sanxian (3-stringed plucked lute) and qin (7-stringed bridgeless zither) to a small number of interested students.

Li was one of three individuals selected for the 2008 UCLA Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award for non-Senate faculty. This award is intended to increase awareness of UCLA’s leadership in teaching by honoring “individuals who bring respect and admiration to the scholarship of teaching.”

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Professor Supeena Adler

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Supeena Insee Adler is a native Thai and Lao speaker and a Thai musician. She is a performer and ethnomusicologist living in San Diego, California. She performs and teaches classical Thai music on traditional stringed instruments. Her other areas of interest are mediums, healing rituals and music in Northeast Thailand and Southern Laos, and Okinawa minyo.

Adler’s 2014 dissertation, Music for the Few: Nationalism and Thai Royal Authority, under the direction of Professor Deborah Wong, concerns a Thai royal musical tradition, royal power, literature in Thai traditional music performance, transmission, and sustainability. Her 2010 master’s thesis, “A Theater of the Spirits: Ritual Performance and Community in Northeast Thailand,” was also under the direction of Dr. Wong.

Adler is active as a scholar in the fields of ethnomusicology and Southeast Asian Studies, as well as a teacher and performer of Thai traditional music, as well as a professional interpreter for Thai and Lao languages. She was recently hired to repair and restore the Thai musical instrument collection at UCLA by the Department of Ethnomusicology in 2014–15. She directed the event “Music of Thailand at UCLA” celebrating the restoration of the collection with support from the Department of Ethnomusicology and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. She has obtained support from the Thai Royal Embassy to expand the Thai instrument collection at UCLA.

While at the University of California Riverside, Supeena Adler established and directed two ensembles: a Thai classical ensemble and Okinawa minyo (folk song) group which involved students, faculty, and community. In San Diego, she has worked closely with the Thai community to establish curricula for Thai language and culture instruction at the local Thai Buddhist temple. For over a decade, she has volunteered to teach Thai traditional music at the temple where she also performs regularly. She has also established a professional ensemble of Thai musicians in Southern California which has performed at venues including the Mingei International Museum in San Diego.

Ph.D. Music (Ethnomusicology), U.C. Riverside; M.A. Southeast Asian Studies: Text, Ritual, and Performance (SEATRiP), U.C. Riverside; B.F.A. Thai Classical Music, Mahasarakham University, Thailand.

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Program Notes

Music of China Program

1. Qin unison

 

The Drunkard (Jiu Kuang) Manuscript of Shen Qi Mi Pu (1425)

 

“The Drunkard” is a piece of Qin music composed by Ruan Ji, a renowned poet and musician who lived from 210 to 263. Ruan cleverly utilized the theme of drunkenness as a veil to express his criticisms of oppressive rulers, thus avoiding persecution. This composition consists of seven distinct parts, each with its own evocative title: “Wine Makes Worries Vanish,” “Dancing in Intoxication Like an Immortal,” “Singing Grandly, Startling the Universe,” and “Lost in the Bliss of Inebriation.”.

Yizhuo Dong, Yinhan Jiang, Muzhi Ma, Jason Rasheed Orr, Edward Zixiao Tang, Yiwei Wang, Grace Xu

 

2. Zheng unison

a. Beautify Lady Yu (Yu Mei Ren) Traditional Zheng music from Shaanxi Province

The Beautiful Lady Yu is a traditional zheng music arranged from Xiaan drum music. It depicts Lady Yu, the Royal Concubine’s sorrow. It goes like this: In moonlight, I could not bear to look back towards my homeland rid of my name. Jade steps and carved railings may still as ever be there, Though changed are the faces fair. O how great, how grave, I ask, can my woe and sorrow be? Just like the River’s swelling spring-tide waters rolling east to the sea.

Ying Chou, Kruthica R Dama, Nicole Yayin Guan, Angela Hao, Ryan Jung Lee, Jane Juan Liu,

Sondia Tran-Ngoc Luong, Corwin Phung, Steven Wong Schlosberg, Julia Luyi Wang, Katherine Wang

b. Chrysanthemums Terrace (Ju Hua Tai) Jay Chou; Arranged by Peipei He

This piece is arranged from a popular love song. The chrysanthemum is used as a metaphor of love. The lyrics goes as:  “Chrysanthemums broken, scattered across the floor, your smile has faded” The falling flowers induce sadness, and my thoughts languish

Irene Emily Chang, Trevor Guo, Catherine Huiwen Hu, Naomi Hiilani Kobayashi, Cory Man-Tik Poon, Janice Edelyn Subroto, Crystal Thai Trinh, Chuqing Xie, Sophia Yu-Han Yeow, Sirui Zhang, Larry Le Zhi

c. The Butterfly Lovers (Liang Zhu) He Zhanhao, Chen Gang

“The Butterfly Lovers” is a Chinese legend about a tragic love story. Its Chinese title, Liang Zhu (梁祝), comprises the surnames of the two lovers. This zheng piece depicts the last part of the story when the two lovers transform into a pair of beautiful butterflies, gracefully flying away.

Hazelle Elizabeth Gunawan, Wennan Liu, Janice Seung Min Nam, Lilly Pan，Jodie Jaeshin Ryu, Eleanor Mei-Shia Vo

 

3. Ensemble

Moon in One’s Cup (Bei Zhong Ming Yue) Yu-Peng Chen; Arranged by Cory Poon

“Moon in One’s Cup” draws inspiration from the serene allure of a moonlit night and features in the original soundtrack of the award-winning video game, Genshin Impact. The composition begins with delicate piano melodies, evoking the gentle glow of the moon as it reflects upon the still waters of Liyue Harbor. Gradually, other instruments join in, layering the music with depth and complexity, weaving together instruments of the west and traditional Chinese instruments.

Irene Chang, Trevor Guo, Mukun Liu, Jason Orr, Cory Poon, Janice Subroto, Ivy Xiao, Grace Xu, Melissa Yan, Anthony Zhao, Kacey Yang

 

4. Narrative Music – Pingtan

Enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival – The Legend of the White Snake (Shang Zhong qiu) Traditional Narrative music

Pingtan is a story-telling folk art tradition that originated in the city of Suzhou, first popularized in the Jiangnan region during the Qing dynasty. The art form is characterized by the incorporation of talking, joking, singing, and acting, and the adoption of accompanying instruments like sanxian and pipa.

Enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival – (Shang Zhongqiu) is an excerpt from a long-length storytelling ping tan series, “The Legend of the White Snake.” The story, set in imperial China during the Southern Song dynasty (12th century), centers on the forbidden romance between Xu Xian, a young man, and Bai Suzhen, a white snake spirit who has taken the form of a beautiful young woman. Their unconventional love faces societal opposition and ultimately leads to tragedy.

Alice Deng Selina Shitong Li

 

5. Erhu and Yangqin Duet

The Melody of Greeting to Springtime (Ying Chun Qu) Xinming Lin

This composition incorporates a distinct Cantonese musical essence. Through its sweet melodies, it vividly portrays the lively and flourishing countryside as spring graces the earth once again.

Irene Emily Chang – Erhu;    Kacey Yang – Yangqin

 

6. Kun Opera Aria

The Palace of Eternal Life – Shocking Mutiny (Chang Sheng Dian – Jing Bian) Hong Sheng (1688)

Jing Bian (Shocking Mutiny) This is an aria from the Kun opera Chang Sheng Dian (The Palace of Eternal Life). The scene concerns Emperor Tang Xuanzong (713-756 A.D.) and his favorite concubine, Yang Yuhuan, who are enjoying the garden of beautiful flowers in front of the Palace of Eternal Life. Kun opera is often described as China’s “classical” opera; the main melodic accompanying instrument is the dizi (transverse bamboo flute).

Milo Dillon, Sophia Fangyi Li, Yilin Liu, Jianwen Lu, Kaiyi Pan, Penny Tang, Yongjia Tang, Ke Xu

Selina Shitong Li – Pipa; Zibai Lyu – Erhu; Xuanxia Melissa Yan – Dizi; Kacey Yang – Yangqin

 

7. Silk and Bamboo Music

a. A Man of Complete Virtue (Xue Er Shi Xi Zhi) Chi Li

Analects of Confucius: “To learn and then practice it time and again is a pleasure, is it not? To have friends come from afar to share each other learning is a pleasure, is it not? To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is gentlemanly, is it not?”

b. Dance of the Golden Dragon (Jin She Kuang Wu) Traditional Chinese music; Arranged by Chi Li

This Chinese orchestral music piece, adapted by Nie Er in 1934 from the folk music “Dao Ba Ban”, boasts an uplifting and passionate melody. The resonant gongs and drums amplify the festive atmosphere, making it a staple at significant Chinese celebration events.

Irene Emily Chang, Brian Leung Chau, Louise Chen, Shujun Cheng, Hazelle Elizabeth Gunawan, Catherine Huiwen Hu,

Lau Theodore Zi-Yang, Shannon Sheng-Na Leo, Lauryn N Leong, Joseph Young Liao, Jessica Sheryl Lin, Alicia Liu, Max Liu, Yilin Liu, Jianwen Lu, Peony Mong, Tianlang Ouyang, Leon Ren, Christian Rodriguez, Alicia Jennifer Sanoyca, Sara Jiamei Shi, Janice Edelyn Subroto, Natalie Zhimei Sun, Mingxuan Tan, Yongjia Tang, Deborah Mika Vukovitz, Leonora Vukovitz,

Wesley Zi Wang, Yawei Wang, Jiayin Wu, Tunhui Xie, Yolanda Xing, Aimee Frances Xu, Ke Xu, Jasmine Yang Yang,

Sophia Yu-Han Yeow, Ellery Xiao-Lei Yu, Jasmine Zhang, Naomi Zhang310-694-4079

c. Horse Race (Sai Ma) Huang Haihuai; Arranged by Chi Li

Naadam is the annual Mongolian festival that showcases wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Composed in 1959, “Sai ma” is a very popular erhu piece that depicts the excitement of a Naadam horse race. The lively melody, quick rhythm, and various special playing techniques capture the thrill of the race, including the shrill neighing of the horses

d. Yao People’s Dance Music (Yao Zu Wu Qu) Liu Tieshan, Mao Yuan; Arranged by Peng Xiuwen

This Chinese ensemble piece is inspired by the Yao people’s ‘Long Drum Dance,’ portraying a joyful celebration of singing and dancing within the Yao village. It commences with the soothing rhythm of the Ruan, conjuring images of gathering around a campfire on a moonlit night. Following this, the graceful main theme played by the leading Gaohu emerges, reminiscent of a beautiful girl beginning to dance. As the music progresses, more people join the festivities and the composition evolves to depict scenes of lively interaction, including chatting, whispering, cheering, and jubilating. The music conveys a variety of happy emotions throughout.

Irene Emily Chang, Amber Chen, Cindy Chen, Lily Crook, Benji Fleischacker, Trevor Guo, Ai De Handwerker, Wanning He, Catherine Huiwen Hu, Theodore Zi-Yang Lau, Shitong Li, Joseph Young Liao, Chloe Marie Ling, Aland Liu, James Tyler Liu, Mukun Liu, Yi Liu, King Yi Kenny Luk, Zibai Lyu, Ian Patrick Mautner, Angel Jesus Mendez Mendoza, Janice Seung Min Nam, Cory Man-Tik Poon, Zechuan Rao, Chutian Shi, Madison Starr, Edward Zixiao Tang, Ivy Xiao, Xuanxia Yan, Jiaqi Yang, Kacey Chang Yang, Alicia Kiuchor Ying, Megan Young, Jingran Zhang, Joann Zhang, Madeline Mandi Zhang, Anthony Zhao

 

About the Director:

Professor Chi Li is a highly accomplished performing artist on the erhu and a prolific educator of Chinese music. After graduating from the Conservatory of Chinese Music (Beijing), she served as the erhu soloist at the National Traditional Orchestra of China (the most renowned orchestra of Chinese musical instruments) and frequently performed in presidential concerts in Beijing during the 80s. In the U.S., she has been featured in concerts held at prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden (New York), Ronald Reagan Building (Washington D.C.), and Avery Fisher Hall/Lincoln Center (New York). She was a recording soloist for the 2019 Oscar winner short film “Bao“.

 

Performers:

CHANG, IRENE EMILY; CHAU, BRIAN LEUNG; CHEN, AMBER; CHEN, CINDY; CHEN, LOUISE; CHENG, SHUJUN; CHOU, YING; CROOK, LILY; DAMA, KRUTHICA R; DENG, AI; DILLON, MILO; DONG, YIZHUO; FLEISCHACKER, BENJI; GUAN, NICOLE YAYIN; GUNAWAN, HAZELLE ELIZABETH; GUO, TREVOR; HANDWERKER, AI DE; HAO, ANGELA; HE, WANNING; HU, CATHERINE HUIWEN; JIANG, YINHAN; KOBAYASHI, NAOMI HIILANI; LAU, THEODORE ZI-YANG; LEE, RYAN JUNG; LEO, SHANNON SHENG-NA; LEONG, LAURYN N; LI, SHITONG; LI, SHITONG; LI, SOPHIA FANGYI; LIAO, JOSEPH YOUNG; LIN, JESSICA SHERYL; LING, CHLOE MARIE; LIU, ALAND; LIU, ALICIA; LIU, JAMES TYLER; LIU, JANE JUAN; LIU, MAX; LIU, MUKUN; LIU, WENNAN; LIU, YI; LIU, YILIN; LU, JIANWEN; LUK, KING YI KENNY; LUONG, SONDIA TRAN-NGOC; LYU, ZIBAI; MA, MUZHI; MAUTNER, IAN PATRICK; MENDEZ MENDOZA, ANGEL JESUS; MONG, PEONY; NAM, JANICE SEUNG MIN; ORR, JASON RASHEED; OUYANG, TIANLANG; PAN, KAIYI; PAN, LILLY; PHUNG, CORWIN; POON, CORY MAN-TIK; RAO, ZECHUAN; REN, LEON; RODRIGUEZ, CHRISTIAN; RYU, JODIE JAESHIN; SANOYCA, ALICIA JENNIFER; SANTIAGO, JOHN ROBERT; SCHLOSBERG, STEVEN WONG; SHI, CHUTIAN; SHI, SARA JIAMEI; STARR, MADISON; SUBROTO, JANICE EDELYN; SUN, NATALIE ZHIMEI; TAN, MINGXUAN; TANG, EDWARD ZIXIAO; TANG, PENNY; TANG, YONGJIA; TRINH, CRYSTAL THAI; VO, ELEANOR MEI-SHIA; VUKOVITZ, DEBORAH MIKA; VUKOVITZ, LEONORA; WANG, JULIA LUYI; WANG, KATHERINE; WANG, WESLEY ZI; WANG, YAWEI; WANG, YIWEI; WU, JIAYIN; XIAO, IVY; XIE, CHUQING; XIE, TUNHUI; XING, YOLANDA; XU, AIMEE FRANCES; XU, GRACE; XU, KE; YAN, XUANXIA; YANG, JASMINE YANG; YANG, JIAQI; YANG, KACEY CHANG; YAO, JIAYU; YEOW, SOPHIA YU-HAN; YING, ALICIA KIUCHOR; YOUNG, MEGAN; YU, ELLERY XIAO-LEI; ZHANG, JASMINE; ZHANG, JINGRAN; ZHANG, JOANN; ZHANG, MADELINE MANDI; ZHANG, NAOMI; ZHANG, SIRUI; ZHAO, ANTHONY; ZHI, LARRY LE

 

Credits:

Alice Deng – Producer; Shitong Li – Associate Producer; Cory Poon – Associate Producer/Graphic Designer; Yuzhuo Dong – Associate Producer; Catherine Hu – Stage Manager; Ian Mautner – Stage Manager; Janice Edelyn Subroto – Graphic Designer; Grace Xu – Graphic Designer

***

 

Program for Music of Thailand Ensemble

 

Piiphaat Mon Ensemble

  1. Solo Mon Gong and Percussion, Yamkham (At Dusk)
  2. Saung Kumaan (The Two Siblings)
  3. Sai Yautyaui (Burmese Banyan), new composition by Sittichai Tancharoen

Mahoorii Ensemble

  1. Mon Ram Dab (The Sword Dance)
  2. Krailatsamrueng (The Angel from Kailash Mountain Dance)
  3. Solo Jakhee, Lao Phaen

 

Northern Ensemble

  1. Hariphunchai

 

Poonglaang Ensemble

  1. Mahoorii Isaan
  2. Toei Saamlaa

 

Tonight’s concert showcases the outcomes of the “Mon Gong Music Culture from Burma to Thailand” project by Music of Thailand Ensemble Director Supeena Insee Adler, supported by a grant from the Hugo and Christine Davise Fund for Contemporary Music, administered by the UCLA Music Library. Two special guests from Thailand have conducted workshops and are performing on the concert, including the world premiere performance of a new composition for Mon Ensemble. Special thanks to the UCLA Ethnomusicology Department, The UCLA World Music Center, The UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the Wat Thai Los Angeles, Wat Padhammachart in La Puente, The Thai Royal Consulate, Los Angeles, and the community members from Los Angeles and San Diego for their generous contributions to making this 2024 Spring concert possible.

 

List of performers

 

Aaden Pokavat; Alex Marshall; Alexa Silprasit; Alexander Joshua Moore; Alexandria V Bolton; Alik Gennetian Shehadeh; Aniya Jasmine Johnson; Brandon Sripimonwan; Caleb Kwon; Chamni Sripraram; Chanjarat Phuangchoey; Charlisa Chirachin; Chatchawat Jeawkok; Chloe Changprai; Christopher Adler; Dante A Luis-Brown; Darren Fang; Divine Trewick; Gina Daranee Hager; Grace Chi Vu; Jasmine Silprasit ; Jayda Rios; Jeannie Koshpasharin; Leila Silprasit ; Maliyah Kwanjai Liley; Maryjane Takaeo; Mickey Hashim; Miyuu Niltasuwan; Natasha Mar; Nathaniel Wayne Williams; New Tohsuwanwanich; Nicherie Chirachin; Orai Hanratanakiil; Panitan Satamalee; Paradee Woranitikosol; Patra Sorod; Phattharaphong Prompinit; Rane Prak; Renee Wen; Samantha Maria Mullen; Stephanie Rinraya Holle; Supavit Pitaknarongphorn; Supeena Insee Adler; Surapan Phonsukah; Taan Niamthong ; Tapia Malaina Suksnguan; Teshinee Kukamjad; Thouchchai Sitthikhet; Tianyi Tang; Tiraya Suwansirisilp; Tomas Laohapornsvan; Varun Saketharam; Vilasinee Seleste; Viroj Sirironarong; Wiracha Veerakachen

 

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