Monthly Archives: June 2024

The Art of Asako Hirabayashi

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Born in Japan, Hirabayashi began her musical journey at the age of 7, composing and playing the piano. She later graduated with a degree in composition from a Japanese college. During her studies, she discovered the harpsichord, an instrument that suited her small hands and her passion for rare instruments. In the 1990s, she moved to the United States to further her education in harpsichord performance and composition at the Juilliard School. Hirabayashi earned her doctorate from Juilliard with a dissertation focused on “Ornamentation in the Harpsichord Music of William Byrd.”

In the early 2000s, Hirabayashi moved to Minnesota, becoming an active member of the Japan America Society of Minnesota. She performs locally, nationally, and internationally, while composing and teaching. Her notable compositions include an opera, a Concerto for Four Harpsichords and Strings, and various solo harpsichord and chamber pieces. Hirabayashi’s interest in historical instruments led to her collaboration with violinist Margaret Humphrey, resulting in the formation of the duo Cerulean Fire in 2012, dedicated to high-quality music and increasing public appreciation for historical instruments. In 2014, she began producing the “Music and Flower” show with the Sogetsu Ikebana Group, a project initiated by her friend Eiji Ikeda of the Minnesota Orchestra. Regularly performing at the Baroque Room in Minneapolis and other global venues, including Japan, Carnegie Hall, and London, Hirabayashi collaborates with various string players and performers. She also teaches at her studio in the Saint Paul Conservatory.

Awards

  • Multiple McKnight awards
  • Minnesota Arts Board grants
  • 2004: Solo Category Winner of the Aliénor Harpsichord Composition Competition
  • 2008: Honorable Mention for the Duo Category Winner of the Aliénor Harpsichord Composition Competition
  • 2010: CD The Harpsichord in the New Millennium was selected as one of the five best classical CDs of the year
  • 2018: Gold Medal Award from Global Music Awards 2018

Asako Hirabayashi’s music is a testament to the power of artistic storytelling, where light and refreshing melodies blend masterfully into a vivid musical painting. Her compositions, including an opera, a Concerto for Four Harpsichords and Strings, and various solo harpsichord and chamber pieces, showcase her ability to creatively use sound to tell a story. Influences from her rich background and collaboration with historical instrument enthusiasts, such as her duo Cerulean Fire with violinist Margaret Humphrey, add depth and nuance to her work. Through her performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Baroque Room in Minneapolis, and her teaching at the Saint Paul Conservatory, Hirabayashi inspires AAPI creatives by demonstrating how cultural heritage and innovation can harmoniously intersect to produce powerful, evocative music.

Reference:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQLLdG7j2p4 https://www.asakohirabayashi.com/bio

Healthy Eating Tips

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Healthy eating focuses on incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and protein into your diet. Dairy recommendations suggest choosing low-fat or fat-free milk, lactose-free milk, and fortified soy beverages, as other plant-based beverages do not provide the same nutritional benefits. Protein sources should include seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils), soy products, nuts, and seeds. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, most people in the United States need to adjust their eating habits to increase their intake of dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium, while reducing added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.

  • Bump up fiber
  • Increase calcium and vitamin D
  • Add more potassium
  • Limit added sugars
  • Replace saturated fats
  • Cut back on sodium
  • Aim for a variety of colors

Eating plenty of fiber is essential for maintaining good health, as it aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Asian leafy vegetables, such as bok choy, napa cabbage, and Chinese broccoli, are excellent sources of both fiber and iron. Incorporating these nutrient-dense greens into your diet can boost your iron intake, which is crucial for oxygen transport in the body, while also providing the dietary fiber needed to support a healthy digestive system. Enjoying a variety of these vegetables can contribute to overall well-being and prevent nutrient deficiencies.

By choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy options and incorporating a variety of protein sources, you can ensure a balanced intake of vital nutrients. Adjusting your eating habits to increase dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium while reducing added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium is crucial for long-term health. Ultimately, making mindful food choices and seeking help when needed fosters a supportive community, helping everyone thrive both physically and mentally.

Advocate for the Federal Food Service Guideline and Wellness Policy through sharing nutritional information and encouraging healthy dietary choices.

Reference:https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/healthy-eating-tips/index.html

Ricky Sim

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Ricky Sim never envisioned a career in standup comedy during his youth due to his fear of performing onstage. “I was really scared to be onstage,” he recalled. Like many first- and second-generation immigrants, Sim’s concern over financial stability led him to practice law for five years. Today, however, the Queens-based writer and standup comedian uses his platform to challenge norms and address the underrepresentation of queer Asian comedians.

Photo: Andrew Max Levy

Despite starting his career in the industry around 12 years ago, Sim chose to take a hiatus due to the lack of Asian representation in comedy, which often resulted in blatant racism disguised as humor. Reflecting on that period, he recalls that most open mic nights were predominantly attended by white men, who would mockingly greet him with lines like, “Oh, look. The delivery guy is here,” whenever they saw an Asian participant.

Sim faced additional challenges due to his sexuality in a predominantly homophobic environment. Despite this, his desire to share his story, particularly about his mother and the gay Chinese-Malaysian experience, helped him overcome the scarcity mindset and embrace the uncertainties of a challenging career. “This is what my heart is telling me to do,” Sim remarked, deciding to follow his passion. In 2023, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he presented his one-man show, “Coming Out To Dead People.” The show’s success continued at London’s Off-West End Soho Theatre and recently debuted Off-Broadway at Soho Playhouse, before returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as an EdFringe OffFest Finalist.

Reference:https://www.aaartsalliance.org/magazine/stories/how-ricky-sim-found-freedom-in-comedy