RECLAIMING SPIRIT: Explorations into grief, gratitude, & spirituality

This event is part of our "Farm to Stage" series featuring individual regenerative works-in-progress by our artists-in-residence followed by a facilitated feedback session with the audience to help develop these works further. Tonight featuring pianist Monica Chung with Palaver Strings, pianist Emma Luyendijk, and soprano Zoe Hart, & bassist/composer Oli Bomann. Join us in incubating the next generation of regenerative arts and artists in Maine!

MONICA CHUNG

Preparing the Way

We spend our whole lives fighting for life, but we never practice dying. In fact, we are ill-prepared for coping with the magnificent loss of loved ones, or even our own life. This project is an ongoing musical reflection of an honest look at my personal journey into the depths of grief, and how that was and is still necessary in order for any regeneration to begin. These stages cannot be rushed, and the many surprises along the way unfold on griefʻs own time. It is a truly magical place of darkness and light, which we all know of but do not necessarily speak of. Thank you all for the support along one of the loneliest paths.

Gretchen am Spinnrade - Schubert/Liszt transcription for solo piano
Mad World - Brooklyn Duo arrangement for Cello & Piano
Bohemian Rhapsody - Brooklyn Duo arrangement for Piano Quintet + solo cello

Performed with special guest Palaver Strings

Violin - Maya French
Violin - Brianna Fischler
Viola - Elizabeth Moore
Cello - Nate Taylor
Cello - Ben Noyes

Monica Chung Bio

Monica Chung is a concert pianist, producer, music director, and educator. She gave her solo debut with the North Carolina Piedmont Triad Symphony Orchestra at age 10 as a result of winning 1st prize in the Competition. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras in London, Hungary, New York, and St. Petersburg in Russia under the baton of the late Sviatoslav Luther.

An active chamber musician and soloist, she has participated in festivals around the world including: Banff Chamber Music Festival; International Musicians Seminar in Prussia Cove, England; Puigcerda International Music Festival in Spain; Ecoles d’Art Americaines de Fontainebleau in France; Tel-Hai International Masterclasses in Israel; Leipzig International Music Festival; International Keyboard Institute Festival; Beethoven Institute and Festival. Monica is founder of the series A Night of Chamber Music with Ensemble Henrietta. She is a frequent guest artist of the Hawaii International Music Festival, and subs in the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

As music director, Monica particularly enjoyed Hawaiʻi Childrenʻs Theatre After Dark alumni production of the controversial show Spring Awakening, Kauai Community Players production of Sweeney Todd, Kauai Performing Arts Center Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Hogfish’s new adaptation of Carmen, CarmXn.

Palaver Strings Bio

Palaver Strings has made its mark as one of New England’s most innovative chamber ensembles. The ensemble’s Co-Artistic Directors curate artistic programming collaboratively and democratically, rotating project direction and musical leadership. Some musicians also hold administrative roles. Palaver presents a season of 40+ concerts each year featuring diverse, cross-genre programming and world-renown collaborators, and offers music instruction to hundreds of Portland students each year.

EMMA LUYENDIJK

After the Willow Weeps

Willows, with their weeping branches and association with water, have captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries. While willows can symbolize grief and sorrow, their association with water connects them to cycles of life and death, and ultimately, rebirth.

My intent is to use the biological life cycle of a willow tree, and the centuries of symbolism and mysticism of the tree, to explore themes around our own human experience of grief, loss, resiliency, and the reclaiming of joy. I plan on exploring these themes through a mix of narration, art song, and other storytelling devices.

Emma Luyendijk Bio

Emma is a proudly South African pianist and vocal coach, whose work spans a wide rangeof collaborative settings, from traditional artsong and opera, to interdisciplinary dance projects, and contemporary works. She hascollaborated with numerous cultural institutions both in New York City and abroad, including The New York City Ballet, Palm Beach Opera, The Berlin Umculo Opera Incubator, and Cape Town Opera. Prominent mentors and collaborators include Elly Ameling, Helmet Deutsch, Barbara Hannigan and Yo-Yo Ma.

Emma's commitment to community engagement through music has led her to work alongside the international music organization El Sistema in Japan following the wake of the tsunami, and in 2016 she was certified by Musicians Without Borders through the School for International Training’s Graduate Institute’s Peacebuilding Program in Vermont. Emma is deeply passionate about using her education and experience to advise arts-based peacebuilding initiatives, and foster community development in South Africa. In this regard, Emma has made marks in academia for her research into the role of music as a mediator for peace and conflict.

OLI BOMANN & ZOE HART

Rockquiem

For many people, the Latin Mass offers a sanctuary of solace and reflection in a fast-paced world, providing a means of escape from the chaos of everyday life. The consolation provided by these historical texts is not so indifferent to the process of composition. This creative endeavor serves as a cathartic release, allowing composers to express themselves authentically and explore the complexities of the human condition.

It is no surprise that composers over the years have created new and contemporary versions of the Latin Mass, using a variety of available technologies at their disposal to breathe life into the text. We aim to honor and continue this tradition by fusing these historical text with bold and new ideas only possible in the digital audio realm. Our regenerative project for this season’s residency will involve setting the text of the Latin Mass to contemporary electronica/pop aesthetics; what we are calling ROCKQUIEM. We aim to utilise digital recording technology and contemporary sound design techniques to compose and develop themes to accompany new melodies and harmonies over the texts.

Oli Bomann Bio

Oli Bomann (they/them) is a composer, bassist, and sonic artist based in Ridgewood, New York. They believe that compassion, empathy, and trust are key to understanding their musical and artistic sensibilities. Oli has performed or recorded alongside some of New York and New Zealand’s top artists, including Lenny White (Miles Davis), Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Bernard Wright (Wayne Shorter), Emilio Modeste (Wallace Roney),and Natasha Agrama (Stanley Clarke).Currently, Oli is applying their performance experience in the realm of Stage Management, where they recently managed the 4th Annual Stretto Piano Festival. They have been finding a great deal of purpose and joy in bringing all types of productions to life while fostering empowering environments for marginalized voices and communities.

Zoe Hart Bio

Zoe Marie Hart (they/them) is happy to join Hogfish as a soprano, arts administrator, and organizer celebrated for their "adorable" performances and versatile administrative expertise. With nearly a decade of experience in the arts, politics, advocacy, and development, Zoe has honed a passion for queer empowerment through the arts.

Highlights of Mx. Hart’s operatic career includes the NYC premiere of the trans narrative "Michigan Trees" with Fifth Wall Performing Arts, the ungendered role of Florestan in "Ghost Variations," and Denise and Lady 1 in the lesbian opera "Sweets by Kate" at the historical Stonewall Inn. Mx. Hart’s concert work includes their debut at Rockwood Music Hall in an all-queer Handel’s Messiah, and participating as a member of the contemporary choral-composer collective C4.

In addition, Zoe enjoys teaching music to all ages through School of Rock, hosting mahjong nights with friends, reading science fiction, and snuggling their cats.

Host or Publisher Hogfish