Chinese Students Exchange Tunes with Musicians at Event

Chinese  - American Cultural Exchange Program with Chengdu and Sichuan Province with Heritage in Bakersfield

http://www.bakersfield.com/local/story/1546160p-1663150c.html

Monday August 05, 2002, 11:32:23 PM

It was a night of music, laughter and cultural exchange.

A group of 22 music students from the ChengDu Yaxiang International Cultural Exchange center in ChengDu, China, performed Wednesday for a small audience at the home of Beto and Sylvia Sala. The Heritage Of America Educational and Cultural Foundation sponsored the evening.

Dr. Jess Nieto, executive director of Heritage of America, in collaboration with project coordinator David Chen, developed the U.S.-China summer music program and art exchange program.

"This is a great opportunity for the people in Bakersfield," Nieto said. "This program is designed to expose our society to the music and culture of another country.

We are getting a feel for their classical music while we are exposing them to the American concept of music."

The exchange program has operated since 1996.

While the students are in the United States, they will visit various areas of California, including San Francisco and the Southland.

Not all of the 22 students are musicians. About half of the visiting students are interested in other areas of the arts. While the music students are learning Western styles of music, art and photography, students will have the opportunity to learn new techniques, as well.

Although the students have only been in the country since July 29, Chen is very pleased with the project so far.

"The students are finding that Americans really do enjoy this music," Chen said. "They are still acclimating to America, but are eager to show their skills."

Wang Linin, the director of the ChengDu Yaxiang International Cultural Exchange, says her students are eager to learn about American culture and share what they know.

"The students are all very excited," Linin said. "They would like for Americans to know more about the Chinese culture and they feel it is their duty to share."

While they are here in the States, the students will visit music and art departments of various Southern California universities, high schools and other institutions and will perform in the Los Angeles area.

The program included performances of traditional Chinese classical music by the students along with some professional musicians and even a rendition of "Oh Susanna."

The visiting students got a taste of Afro-Cuban music as performed by Louie Cruz Beltran and Richard Mongito Smith. Smith and Beltran performed with drums and vocals that inspired cheers and a standing ovation.

Nieto regards this program as a great success for both cultures.

"Messages that we can't convey in conventional terms really comes through the music," Nieto said. "With music, people are allowed to communicate, get to know each other, and create friendships."

An exchange of American students is being planned for next spring.

-- By Amanda Des Lauriers,

Special to The Californian