Dieter Cui may reside in Seattle, but he is a world traveler when it comes to performing and teaching opera music. In addition to being a top performer in Chinese and Western opera, Cui — whose Chinese first name is Zong Shun — contributes to the community through his nonprofit organization, the Seattle PhiloVoce Association. Cui has also taught hundreds of students in Seattle.
Ambassadors of Chinese music: Warren Chang and Buyun Zhao
Warren Chang and Buyun Zhao, a husband and wife duo, have introduced the Chinese genre of music to the Seattle community over the last two decades. They founded the first organization dedicated to Chinese music in Washington state.
A pair of lifelong singers: Young Hee Kim and Kyung-Ah Oh
For 30 years, the Korean Music Association (KMA) — formerly the Korean American Musicians Association of Washington — has been offering free concerts in Seattle, attracting more than 1,000 audiences each year. Two of its founding members, sopranos Young Hee Kim and Kyung-Ah Oh, are still singing and taking part in community events.
Pianist and tuner Yuri Melekh help 88 keys sound their best
While there are only 88 keys on a piano, its rich sounds can conjure up an infinite number of emotions within a listener. Although many Asian/Pacific Islander (API) parents dream that their child would become a classical prodigy, that notion seldom comes into fruition aside from a recital or three.
Ban Ki-Moon to receive honorary degree from UW
Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Washington (UW) on Oct. 26 at a formal convocation. The ceremony will be presided over by UW President Mark Emmert and will take place in Meany Hall for the Performing Arts on the UW Seattle campus.
China National Acrobatic Troupe’s North America show set to dazzle
DARE, an acrobatic show featuring 38 award-winning performers from China, debuts this month at Meany Hall on the UW campus.
Sept: 20: Korean BBQ cook-off presents plenty of good eats
The Korean BBQ Cook-Off Competition was held at Luther Burbank Park. It was hosted by the Korean America Coalition of Washington (KAC-WA), Korean American Bar Association (KABA), and Korean America Health Professional Association (KAHPA). More than 110 people attended.
Sept. 16: Health Global Connect Inc. has its open house with ACRS
Health Global Connect Inc. is a startup company bringing new health technologies to cancer patients. At its open house on Beacon Hill, it partnered with the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) to launch a beta site in a joint symposium with the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center. Health Global Connect Inc.’s co-founders are Teresa Hau and Lyon Wong.
Aug. 27: See Kai Run children’s footwear is one of the fastest-growing private companies
See Kai Run, a popular manufacturer of the perfect first shoe for new walkers, ranked 196th on the 28th annual Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest growing private companies. See Kai Run is celebrating its 5-year anniversary this fall.
Sept. 17: Lori Matsukawa is AWC Communicator of the Year
KING 5 co-anchor Lori Matsukawa was named 2009 Communicator of the Year by the Seattle professional chapter of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC). Matsukawa will receive the award on Oct. 17 at the Chapter Awards Breakfast at AWC’s National Conference at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel.