Rural and Urban Explorations of Transnational Performance: A Dialogue Between Traditional Southwestern Chinese and Contemporary North American Music & Dance

Abstract

In this autobiographical, bi-cultural, and interdisciplinary production, I use piano, voice, dance, and acting to create a performance that weaves together Chinese and American cultural differences and similarities. The performance is an account of how I have learned to navigate the world as an academic and composer with the obstacles and successes that come with such a journey. I combine modern North American techniques with traditional Chinese ways of knowing through three art forms: theater, music, and dance. These very different musical traditions cooperate to connect performers and audiences. Chinese performers and audiences are reacquainted with their cultural roots, while U.S. audience members see something new in themselves as they experience this performance. This strategy increases the variety of receptive audiences for my compositions and will allow for greater intercultural interaction and visibility between different cultures.