About Us
CONGRATULATIONS IACA CYCLE #23
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENT, CHAO TIAN!
Click here to learn about Cycle #23 grant winner, Olivia Eng.
The following are excerpts from her grant proposal:
I'm a Chinese dulcimer musician, an improvisor, and a collaborator. I exercise my music to break boundaries and develop new sounds to build a multi-dimensional sensory space in improvisation. I wield it as my voice, which audibly and influentially stands for the voices that are unheard, misrepresented, and those unable to be expressed. I'm focusing on the inquiry of the connection, vocabulary and punctuation of impromptu in cross-disciplinary collaboration and dialogic music improvisation in response to social conflicts caused by misunderstanding and miscommunication. I hope my artistic work can provide healing and alleviation to our delicate society and empower minorities and immigrants with a voice of inspiration.
My musical journey began at the age of 5, and at age 12 I gained entrance to the Affiliated Middle School of China Conservatory of Music with a major in Chinese dulcimer study. Later I was recommended for immediate admission to China Conservatory of music, where I obtained the Master Degree of Arts in Musical Performance in 2010. As the leader of “Always Folk” ensemble, I identified myself as an inheritor committed to preserve China’s musical traditions. The band is actively involved in the research of Sizhu music and Nammyam Music in China.
I have worked as a lecturer and director of Arts Education Center at Beijing Languages and Culture University (BLCU) for years. I am one of the founders of Music Department and appointed officer of Culture Exchange Abroad program.
I have performed in over 30 different countries and regions across the globe and collaborated with numerous acclaimed musicians in many unprecedented projects. The prestigious Artist in Residence program at the Strathmore Music Center, MD is where I became intrigued by various cultures and genres and enhanced my artistic imagination and creativity.
I have contributed to the local community with music at church, youth arts programs, senior care centers, and special projects for people with and without cognitive and other disabilities. In addition, I am devoted to boosting cultural exchange activities between the U.S and China.
I will appreciate this grant in support of one of my virtual concerts which will cover the fees including: compensation of collaborator and promotion, and equipment updates.
You may be the next grant winner! Click here to apply.
There is no specific type of artist that we focus on or primarily support. Creative expression comes in a wide variety of artistic disciplines and genres. We are looking for passion and excellence in your craft. Tell us why your work is important to you and how you hope it will impact others.
Where Eagles Soar (Isaiah 40:31)
Integrity: Arts & Culture Association is honored to approve Tian's funding request and we wish her continued success in her creative endeavors.
"Unheard Sounds"
As an immigrant, a period of maladjustment required me to keep redefining myself. My artistic expression was limited by language barrier and I had to lay aside my music style but to accustom myself to the other genres. I was struggling with these until finally the adjustment was reached with an urge to find a path to achieve efficacious communication which is through musical improvisation. In the video, I explored new sounds on the instrument and used it as a voice to narrate my story.
"Shanghuai,shanghuai"
An original piece of mine. The title means "Sadness and Reminiscence". I boldly invited Steelpan musician Josanne Francis to create a celestial sound combination with Chinese dulcimer.The musical idea was to lead the audience through the ancient east to the modern world in a sound way across time and space.
