ABOUT THE PROJECT
“Realms of Courage: Celebrating Asian Women Composers” amplifies fifteen contemporary composers through visual art, written reflections, and educational programming inspired by the composers’ music and lived experiences.
The Realms of Courage Composers include Bosba Panh, Chihchun Chi-sun Lee, Emily Koh, Jean Ahn, Jennifer Jolley, Juhi Bansal, Julie Zhu, Kyong Mee Choi, Liliya Ugay, Melissa Dunphy, Midori Kaneko Larsen, Shruthi Rajasekar, Theresa Calpotura, Theresa Wong, and Wang Jie.
From 2021 - 2022, artist Angela Han extensively interviewed each composer about her work, creative philosophy and process, and experience navigating the music field as an Asian woman. These interviews and the composers’ music have inspired the creation of paintings which have been exhibited at Arc Studios & Gallery, Café Suspiro, and the International Hotel Manilatown Center. This series of paintings continues to be in development.
In May - June 2022, the “Realms of Courage Composers Panels” were featured in the 25th Annual United States of Asian America Festival - Generations of Power (USAAF) hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center. This series of virtual panels focused on the theme of courage and provided the public with the opportunity to engage with the composers.
“Realms of Courage: Celebrating Asian Women Composers” is funded by the California Arts Council (CAC), a state agency, San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC), and Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC). Supported by YouthSpeaks and Dr. Sue-Je Lee Gage Residency for Human Rights and Social Justice. Presented by Angela Han Art LLC.