Interview with musicians Anny Shi & Joyce Zhu conducted by Amanda Cariaga:
Music has made a huge impact on Anny and Joyce’s lives. They have been playing music for years and share a common interest and love for the flute. They play duets together regularly, and recently performed “Wu Ji (The Untamed)”, which was written by an Asian composer.
When asked about why she enjoys playing music by an Asian composer, Anny says, “Playing music written by minority groups is important to me because they are often underrepresented in the European-dominated music world. Playing pieces written by Asian composers also helps me to honor them and connect me back to my roots.”
Joyce had a similar reaction. She stated, “I enjoy playing pieces by Asian composers not only to give them the recognition they deserve, but also to remind myself of the cultural elements music brings. We get so caught up in Western classical music that we forget that music is a defining aspect of many Asian cultures. So whether it is a modern song or traditional piece, playing Asian music broadens our perspectives.”
Check out Anny & Joyce's musical performance down below!