At 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 29, 2024, Where Music Carries Us (WMCU) held its fourth charity concert in the Harriet Bryan House at the Elm Court Senior Center. The event showcased an array of talented performers and celebrated the rich heritage of traditional Chinese music.
The concert featured Shaolin Liu, a renowned Erhu performer who has garnered acclaim as both a performer and educator in the Princeton area. As a teacher at the Plainsboro Huaxia Chinese School, Liu has performed as a soloist and a lead in musical ensembles such as the Zizhu Chinese Instruments Ensemble.
The program also highlighted a variety of other traditional Chinese instruments, including the guzheng, yang qin, hulusi, and pipa, allowing attendees to experience the depth and beauty of Chinese heritage.
The concert opened with a stunning dance solo by Nadya Zhilaev, a celebrated Romani dancer, setting a vibrant tone for the event. This was followed by Anya Blix, who performed “Russian Fantasia No. 2” by L. Portnoff on the violin, enchanting the audience with her mastery of the instrument.
Among the highlights was Jasmine Li’s delicate performance of the Chinese classic “春 江花月夜” on the guzheng, which evoked a sense of nostalgia and beauty. The Yuan sisters, Karina and Yiva, charmed the crowd with their duet of “For Good” from Wicked, showcasing their vocal harmony and emotional connection.
The program continued with Kevin Zhou’s rendition of “Por Una Cabeza” by C. Gardel, followed by Carina Zhang on the yang qin with “Rising Higher” by Wencheng Lu, both performances receiving enthusiastic applause. Chloe Zhao’s heartfelt rendition of “California and Me” by L. Lin and Aleena Zhang’s captivating performance of “Joyful Songs” y 李贵中 on the hulusi further enriched the event’s diverse musical offerings.
Elizabeth Wang then dazzled the audience with her rendition of “The Swan” by C. Saint-Saëns on the violin, followed by Shaolin Liu’s show-stopping piece, “Horse Racing”, which showcased not only his technical skill but also his deep connection to the music, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Xinran Zhuo closed the individual performances with “Spring Rain” by Zhu & Wen on the pipa and the event culminated in a joyful group dance led once again by Nadya Zhilaev, featuring both parents and members of WMCU, a highlight of WMCU concerts that fosters a sense of community among performers and attendees alike.
With its successful blend of cultural expression and community spirit, the concert not only entertained the Elm Court community but also reinforced the mission of Where Music
Carries Us: to unite people through the power of music.