There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep

“I Am in Need of Music” by Elizabeth Bishop

Hailey Tran

Hailey had stated that dance helped her to cope with stress; she mentioned that it made her feel as though everything is in one piece, that nothing is left out, and that everything is there for a purpose. She also mentioned the intent behind her dances is to make people feel at ease through her movements and facial expressions, in which she tries to convey various stories and emotions. 

Shine Yuan

When Shine first started learning the guzheng, it was when she was in 1st grade. She had been forced by her mom, and nearly quit twice; but after a period of time, she started loving its sound, and how it expresses the music. She also realized that not many people knew how to play it in the US, and how it made her unique. Shine stated explicitly that she usually enjoys playing more powerful and mysterious songs, instead of being forced to learn the boring pieces from the level tests. 

Erica Lai

When Erica clicks her shutter, it is with the belief that the moment in front of her doesn’t deserve to be forgotten. The beautiful landscapes that she encounters everyday motivates her to pick up her camera again and again, to capture those scenes and never let them fade away. 

Cherry Ngo

Cherry was inspired to learn the saxophone because of the street saxophone performances; she had thought that they looked really cool, and that is still one of the major reasons why she still loves playing the saxophone. She started learning two years ago, with the hope of being able to teach others with music one day. Up until today, the memory of that iconic Careless Whisper performance is still fresh in her mind whenever she picks up her saxophone to practice. 

Katherine Wang

Katherine started playing the violin when she was 8, and was exposed to many new opportunities when she moved to Ukiah. The violin served as an instrument that helped her recognize many new ideas and perspectives; playing in diverse venues also piqued her interest in religious interfaith, enriching her experience with music and developing a sense of gratitude for all those who had assisted her in her journey. With the support given by everyone in her community, she managed to get over her anxiety of playing in front of an audience after repeated performances, and appreciate hard work that musicians put into mastering their instruments.  

To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.

“I Am in Need of Music” by Elizabeth Bishop