Tag Archives: music

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

Active Dancing

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Loving Hip Hop - Being Active

Dancing is a great way to exercise, maintain one’s weight, lose weight, and learn new ways to move the body. You can do it alone or with your friends or in a group. There are many varieties of dance forms that you can try. Also, there are many ways to access them today through online, programs, classes, friends, and more. Here are some dance forms to try:

  • Hip hop dancing is a great way to lose body weight because it involves moving all the muscles in your body. It has a lot of jumping, leg and arm movements, and body strength. Many moves  are improvise and can be self taught or taught by others.
  • Traditional dancing differs from culture to culture. Some are focused on graceful movements, others focus on precision, but all of them requires the body to exercise. Traditional dancing combines knowledge, history, culture, and exercise, which is another great way to part of something and is healthy for the body.
  • Jazz dancing is a classical dance form, but nowadays, there are modern versions of it as well. Jazz is often includes groups of people more than individuals, but one person can dance to it too. Jazz dance even has their own music to dance to, jazz music.
  • Tap dance involves using using the feet to tap the metal part of the shoes to make percussion like noises. This dance is put into two categories: rhythm (jazz) tap and Broadway tap. Rhythm tap is focus on the music and Broadway tap is focused on the dance. Either way, this dance form is fun to try and a great way to move your legs.

There are many other dance forms not mentioned, but here are a just a few options out there. It is really up to you to decide which one suits you best. It doesn’t mean you have to stick with one dance form, you should always try different things. Have fun exercising and dancing!

Playing vs. Exercising

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Week2Blog

Sometimes we are active in playing and it can even result in a smaller version of the body exercising. But playing and exercising are two different activities. Playing is for the enjoyment of the moment, being entertained and can even be social. Exercise is rigorously being active and burning body energy/fat. So if you want to be active instead of ‘playing’, allow your body to feel the burn.

How do you know when you actively exercising? It is quite easy to tell from these common signs that your body gives off in response:

  • Sweating frequently
  • Heart rate increases and remain at a high rate for the moment of working out
  • Muscles are used more than usual
  • Feel thirsty and the intake of water increase

You don’t have work out like the traditional ways if you like being entertained at the same time. Sometimes, people say that exercising is boring and yes, it can be so boring just doing the same thing over again. But finding ways to preoccupied your mind can help you get started. Like for example:

  • Listen to music that pumps you up
  • Mix exercise routines from jogging to yoga to dance, etc.
  • Take advantage of technology and watch your favorite shows while jogging, step climbing, etc.
  • Best thing to make it easier: Work out with a partner or a friend!

So remember to play frequently and exercise daily. Both are good for the body and the brain. Being active and sociable is always a plus!