By: Ethan Rogers
In 2024, the “Eternal Elegance: Across Mountains and Oceans” Poetry and Painting Zhejiang (New York) Cultural and Tourism Promotion Event was held in Manhattan, where two cities converged through the collision and fusion of art. A story of music, culture, and heritage quietly unfolded at the event’s core. At the heart of this story stood artist Yalin Zhuang, serving as both the music director and performance coordinator. She connected musicians from different cultures and meticulously refined every detail behind the scenes, helping Zhejiang’s voice resonate on the New York stage. Her efforts brought together numerous guests from New York’s tourism and cultural sectors to witness this cross-temporal cultural exchange.
The preparation time for this event was tight, with each detail resembling an unpolished musical note waiting to be refined and given rhythm. As the music technical director, Yalin Zhuang navigated between the director, technical team, and performers, helping every note land precisely on stage. “The rehearsal time was minimal, leaving almost no room for detailed polishing,” she recalled. “But music itself is a bridge of communication—despite language barriers, everyone could still find resonance in the melodies.”
The piece, Seeking Sound Along the Poetry Road, was initially composed for a symphony orchestra by Hollywood’s renowned film composer Mark Chait, a world-class musician and Emmy Award winner. However, when the piece was adapted into a quartet, its harmony and details required further refinement. As an experienced musician, Yalin Zhuang decisively proposed modifications, adjusting notes, sculpting rhythms, and personally guiding the ensemble. Like a steady yet robust string, she connected the people, music, and stage, swiftly communicating with the string musicians while moving between the director and technical team. Like a keen tuner, she sought balance among sounds, striving for musical perfection within the limited timeframe. Ultimately, the piece achieved a smooth and rich musical expression just before the official performance.
This performance was a musical challenge and a convergence of cultures and languages. Many members of the Zhejiang delegation relied on translators to communicate with the two native English-speaking musicians. However, with her fluency in English, Yalin Zhuang became a crucial bridge within the team. She played a key role in language communication while working closely with the director, personally engaging in every detail from sound adjustments to stage setup, striving to present the purest cultural essence. Switching seamlessly between roles on and off stage, she exhibited a calm and determined command of the event. “Music transcends language,” she said, “but when we use language to convey musical ideas more precisely, that understanding deepens.” She aimed to highlight Zhejiang’s cultural charm as effectively as possible.
In this performance, Yalin Zhuang took on the role of music technical director and helped facilitate collaboration between the musicians and the performance team. The event was well-received by professional audiences, including Lincoln Center management team members. Yalin Zhuang remarked that this experience deeply reinforced her appreciation for the cross-cultural power of music. Although she did not personally perform on stage this time, her behind-the-scenes collaboration connected teams across different languages and cultures through music. She said, “Music is a bridge beyond language—no matter where we are, it always allows people to find shared emotional resonance.” This promotion event artistically illustrated the profound heritage of five thousand years of civilization, showcasing the distinctive charm of “Picturesque Jiangnan, Dynamic Zhejiang.”
Published by Anne C.
