Abstract
As our student population continues to become more diverse, a teacher’s dedication to exploring new repertoire is crucial: it exposes both teachers and students to new piano literature, supports diverse students with an enriching and connective musical experience, and avoids lessons from becoming systematic due to the overuse of standard repertoire. When discovering new pedagogical resources, teachers need to make good choices for their students. And yet, this process is often one of the most challenging aspects, especially if the music uses foreign musical materials. Teachers may find it uncomfortable to teach foreign music while honoring its musical heritage. This study uncovers late intermediate to advanced repertoire by oft-forgotten living Asian women composers and discuss aspects of social justice, immigrant experience, and experience-sharing teaching through their piano music. Repertoire includes Chinese Canadian composer Hope Lee’s Flake Upon Flake Upon…. (1989), Flower Drum Dance (2001) and Singaporean American composer Emily Koh’s reitario (2017/2019) and reperio (2022). The selected piano works are representative examples of the composers’ navigations in life-altering events and advocacy for Asian women. Specific topics of Chinese folk tunes, numbered notation, and pedagogical approaches to newly discovered music will be discussed. Attendees will learn refreshing pieces beyond the traditional canon to cultivate a diverse and inclusive musical environment, help students discover new artistic possibilities, and develop a community that empowers our students, teachers, and artists.
Presenters
Shuk Ki WongLecturer of Music and Teacher of Piano, Lawrence University, Wisconsin, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
UNDERREPRESENTED, MARGINALIZED COMPOSERS, WOMEN COMPOSERS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ASIAN COMPOSERS, IMMIGRANT
