FantAsia!

Apple Hung-Ping Chang

gamin & Tokunaga Keiko

Jay Reise

Holding this event in Inwood at a community hub allows INTERWOVEN the opportunity to perform Asian folklore-inspired pieces with traditional instruments in a neighborhood with only …% of Asian residents; this is among the lowest number of Asian representation in a borough in Manhattan, according to recent data released by the NYU Furman Center. Bringing this program to this area has two merits: first, making concert hall quality performances accessible to all peoples living in this area, particularly for residents who find travel to nearby major venues, such as Carnegie Hall and David Geffen Hall, a forty-five minute train ride, difficult to manage. Second, we will be introducing an underrepresented culture in Washington Heights and Inwood to the residents of all ages. We plan to make this event free so all patrons may enjoy, from classical music newcomers to seasoned concert-goers. However, suggested donation will be collected at the door to those who have the means to give— and all proceed will go to the Church of the Good Shepherd.

During the performance, the musicians will share the backstories and history of the pieces, giving our audience the opportunity to learn about the Asian folk tales which inspired each composition they will soon hear, as well as demonstrations of the traditional Asian Instruments. The concert will begin with historical compositions written to highlight traditional Eastern Asian instruments such as the koto (Japanese zither), erhu (Chinese 2-string violin), piri (Korean bamboo flute), and Taeppyonso (Korean trumpet).

The audience will hear three world-premiere performances written by our featured composers Apple Hung-Ping Chang, gamin & Tokunaga Keiko, and Jay Reise. Our composers, all coming from different heritages and possessing unique lived cultural experiences, are each composing a five to ten minute piece inspired by a piece of Asian folklore. Their pieces will feature at least one traditional Asian instrument already featured in our program, and pair it with Western classical string instruments: violin, viola and cello.

To finish our event, we will honor the Lunar New Year traditions of community, togetherness, thanks, and good health and happiness. Honoring these values with our audience and neighbors, we will be holding a reception that symbolizes the harmony of various cultures in this neighborhood, and pulling back the veil for audience members to congregate with musicians, composers, and other local residents. This will inspire new friendships and further appreciation for Asian culture and traditions in Washington Heights, and hopefully, will be the blueprint for a similar program in other boroughs in future programming.

INTERWOVEN is a recipient of a 2026 grant from Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the generosity of the Howard Gilman Foundation, for FantAsia!