Internationally acclaimed taiko virtuoso with jazz trio concert, Mar 19
Asia America Symphony Association announces the 2011 season – 50th Anniversary concert schedule as following:
An evening with award-winning jazz pianist and composer Helen Sung
Saturday, February 26, 8:00 PM
Venue: Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Award-winning pianist / composer Helen Sung has been called “one of the brightest emerging stars in jazz today.” As an Asian-American artist & composer, Ms. Sung challenges the stereotypes with her compelling, unique voice formed by her virtuosity in classical, jazz, & popular music featured with the David Benoit Trio: David Benoit on piano, David Hughes on bass, and Jeff Olson on drums.
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Internationally renowned Taiko virtuoso Hiroyuki Hayashida
Saturday, March 19, 8:00 PM
Venue: Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
All the way from Japan, Internationally acclaimed Taiko artist, pioneer and master of “katsugi oke daiko” Hiroyuki Hayashida will mesmerize and awaken your senses with his trio Zi-Pang performing different kinds of music from jazz to tribal, dance to tap and flamenco while teaming up with the David Benoit Trio.
Born in Nagasaki, Hiroyuki Hayashida was an active member of the internationally-renowned taiko group, KODO and for seven years since 1984, performed on more than 800 stages all over the world. In 1991, he became a solo player and was a member of Takio Ito and TAKIO BAND for two years. He was also one of the founding members and a leader for six years of Tokyo Dagekidan.
Hayashida was invited to play at various international events such as the WTO Show in Singapore, Japan Week1997 in the Netherlands, Expo 2000 in Hanover, the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in France, 50th Anniversary Concert of Doudou Niaye Rose of UNESCO World Heritage, a leading African percussionist in Senegal.
Working throughout Japan composing, arranging and directing taiko scenes in works by renowned theatrical writer, Soh Kuramoto, The Convoy Show, Takeshi Kitano movie, and Zatoichi, in 2004 Hayashida was invited to play with his group, ZI-PANG , at the Award Ceremony of the Japanese Academy Awards. In 2008, he produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the Short Short Film Festival and was highly praised by Amon Miyamoto and with his unique ability and technique, he has received recognition in Japan as well.
His forte is katsugi oke daiko and a unique shouldering taiko. He is a pioneer player of the instrument and his unique technique is something that no one can easily follow. He composes music and holds workshops all over Japan as well and has released a MANUAL video. With his ideas and foresight, he never stops being a pioneer in the taiko world and has started producing a new type of taiko with a renowned taiko maker. As a solo taiko player as well as a composer and producer, Hayashida is the recognized as one of the top taiko players in the world.
He started producing a taiko entertainment unit, “Hiroyuki Hayashida and Zi-PANG” in 2000 and written in the Hougaki Journal,“as the challenge and the result, Hayashida and ZI-PANG will definitely be an important index of the trend of oke-daiko”. Offering his music to many taiko groups, He is well known as a composer and is definitely one of the very few leading solo taiko players in Japan today.
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A nigh on Broadway with Asia America Youth Orchestra; David Benoit, Music Director and Conductor; Joe Marino, Assistant Conductor
Friday, April 29, 8:00 PM
Venue: James R. Armstrong Theatre, 3330 North Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503
“A Night On Broadway” Music Director, Conductor David Benoit leads the muli-talented Asian American Youth Orchestra through a program of Broadway hits! This concert also features a new collaboration with the Norris Center for Education’s Negri Youth Program, led by Education Director Debbie Martinez, will be providing the young and amazing vocalists for the evening.
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Ode To Joy! Asia America Symphony Orchestra; David Benoit, Music Director and Conductor; Eleanor Dunbar, violin soloist
Saturday, June 25, 8:00 PM
Venue: Norris Theatre for the Performing Arts, 27570 Norris Center Drive (formerly Crossfield Drive), Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
“Ode To Joy” featuring the Asia America Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director David Benoit. Young virtuoso violinist Eleanor Dunbar, the Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Symphony #9 with four soloists & a chorus of eighty, and the world debut of a special composition dedicated to the Asia America Symphony’s 50th Anniversary by David Benoit.
Violinist Eleanor Dunbar, age 15, is enjoying her 8th season with Asia America Youth Orchestra (AAYO). Since joining the orchestra at age 8, she is currently the concertmaster of the orchestra and featured soloist with AAYO in 2007 and 2009. She has also soloed with the South Bay Youth Orchestra, Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra, and Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra. In 2008, Eleanor was presented in her first solo recital at Peninsula Music Fair and will be a featured soloist with Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra this year on May 28.
A student of Gail Mellert since age 8, she has won numerous awards in violin: Bach Complete Works Competition, Music Teacher’s Association Scholarship Competition, Santa Monica College Concerto Competition, Ventura College Concerto Competition, and Artists of the Future Competition.
Eleanor placed second at American String Teachers Association State Finals last year and is a four-time recipient of Young Musicians Foundation scholarships and Fe Bland awards.
In 2007, she was the concertmaster at the Young Musicians Foundation’s summer camp in South Dakota performing at Mr. Rushmore amphitheater and in 2010, she was one of the classical instrument finalists for this year’s Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Awards. Eleanor has set her goal to become a professional violinist. Along with music, she enjoys Japanese calligraphy.
For information, call (310) 377-8977 or www.AsiaAmericaSymphony.org