It took a global pandemic to finally provide Alexandra Nguyen the chance to perform a piece of music that she鈥檇 been carrying around since the age of 18.
In 2020, Nguyen found herself searching for new modes of performance and expression in the wake of sudden transformations wrought by COVID-19. As an educator specializing in collaborative performance, the new limitations on crowds and gatherings forced her to reimagine her approach to teaching and to making music.
It was in these circumstances that she decided to finally perform 鈥淪cenes from a Jade Terrace鈥� by accomplished Canadian composer . Nguyen interviewed Louie to capture her own words as part of the videos Nguyen played between pieces on her program鈥檚 livestream, thereby leveraging鈥攔ather than feeling limited by鈥攁vailable technologies. That ultimately led to the discovery of shared experiences and an exciting residency bound for the College of Music this month, Feb. 12-19.
鈥淚t turned out we have a lot in common,鈥� recalls Nguyen, associate professor of collaborative piano. 鈥淲e had these really fascinating conversations about what it means for first-, second- and third-generation immigrants to establish our identity in a new culture while respecting and including our heritage.鈥�
She adds, 鈥淥n a daily basis, the Asian community is faced with microaggressions. We鈥檙e perceived as a model minority, yet we鈥檙e often overlooked and we鈥檝e seen an outbreak of violence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt it鈥檚 time to bring our voices to the table through someone who looks like me, and someone who shares the same experiences in this realm of classical music.鈥澨�
Louie鈥檚 upcoming residency鈥攂roadly themed 鈥淣avigating Asian Identity in Western Classical Music鈥濃�攚ill include working with the College of Music鈥檚 Philharmonia Orchestra and Treble Chorus, as well as instruction with composition students and the college鈥檚 piano pedagogy class. As well, the residency will offer students, faculty and community members the opportunity to explore some of the themes that arose in those first conversations between Nguyen and Louie.听
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping that our community will be interested in exploring and getting to know this accomplished artist, and to actively engage in open-mindedness, listening and conversation,鈥� concludes Nguyen.
Indeed, the residency offers the College of Music community to interact with and learn from a composer whose accomplishments range from major orchestral works to widely recognized pedagogical scores to music for TV comic operas. It also offers the chance to tackle questions of equity, access and culture that have long been overlooked in the realm of Western classical music.
Free + open to the public:听
- Monday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., Grusin Music Hall
Philharmonia Orchestra concert, including a performance of Louie鈥檚 鈥淥 Magnum Mysterium: In Memoriam Glenn Gould鈥� - Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m., Grusin Music Hall
Piano master class featuring Louie鈥檚 鈥淪cenes from a Jade Terrace鈥� - Friday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m., Chamber Hall (S102)
: Navigating Asian Identity in Western Classical Music - Saturday, Feb. 18, 7:30 pm, Grusin Music Hall
This final concert will showcase Louie鈥檚 works, with faculty and student performers.
Louie鈥檚 residency is funded by a Roser Grant, as well as the College of Music鈥檚 keyboard and composition departments.
