Our Artists
Director
Yi-Chieh Jay Lai
Yi-Chieh Jay Lai has performed in Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, the United States, Germany, France, and Turkey. She has served as an artist in residence at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Northern Illinois University as a soloist and at the Rice University with ensemble IIIZ+. Her album, Transformation, was nominated as Best Folk Music Album of the Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammys.
As an active educator, she has given lectures in schools and organizations including Harvard University, MIT, California State University–East Bay, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Akademie der Künste (Berlin), University of French Polynesia, and Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand.
She received her Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. She also received her master’s degree in musicology from Taipei National University of the Arts and her bachelor’s degree in guzheng performance from National Taiwan University of Arts.
Composer
Xuesi Xu
Dr. Xu is a professional composer who seamlessly blends Eastern and Western musical elements to create a truly innovative and captivating sound. Xu’s music is unique in that it challenges the traditional exotic stereotypes associated with Eastern music. Xu’s music explores the delicate balance between conformity and individuality, highlighting the diversity of cultural influences that shape our musical experiences. By doing so, Xu breaks down cultural barriers and explores the universal language of music in a fresh and exciting manner. This fusion of styles creates a rich tapestry of sound that transcends cultural boundaries and appeals to audiences from all walks of life.
Dr. Xu has a D.M degree in Composition from Florida State University (D.M.). His Alma Maters also include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (M.M.), and Shanghai Conservatory of Music (B.M.). His music has been performed by leading orchestras such as the Albany Symphony, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, North/South Consonance Chamber Orchestra, and ensembles such as Slee Sinfonietta, Arditti Quartet, Icarus Quartet, and Kamratōn ensemble.
Project Manager
Emma Wang
Emma is 13 years old, an 8th grader at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School. She is a passionate musician on piano and cello, and also a nature lover. From the beautiful landscapes of America’s national parks and monuments to the cloud forest in Costa Rica, her passion and appreciation for our planet’s beauty inspired her to devote time to help preserving the nature wonders. She started a project to combine her love for music and nature, hosting a series of concert with goals to raise funds and awareness for our national parks.
Documentary Photography
Zhuang Fang
Zhuang Fang has been in the photography industry for 20 years. Before becoming a freelance photographer, she worked for newspapers, magazines, and wrote travel guides. As a journalist who loves traveling, she instinctively records people and events she encounters. In 2004, she started capturing stories along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, documenting the people and events on this beautiful and treacherous road in China. Starting in 2011, she formally initiated a project to document the lives of people along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, which took her 10 years to complete. Storytelling through the lens is the core of Zhuang Fang's photography project, allowing her to experiment with different forms of expression, including video, to support her work and livelihood. These experiences and reflections have enriched her creative process, infusing her work with a deeper humanistic perspective. In 2014, Zhuang Fang initiated the personal "Fujian Traveling God" project, which has continued to the present day.
