In Los Angeles County, Alhambra, at the Glory of Church on June 8th, the melodies of Taiwanese folk songs such as “望之風” and “白牡丹” filled the air. Led by pianist Huang Yingying, along with pipa player Liu Yu, cellist Yan Ling, soprano singer Shirley Wang, violinist Liao Zhebin, and others, a fundraising concert titled “Hualien Earthquake Reconstruction Fundraising Concert” was held. The concert raised $2,000, which will be used for the rebuilding of Yu-Shan Theological College.
Huang Yingying mentioned that musicians from Taiwan, mainland China, Japan, Singapore, and other places gathered to perform Taiwanese folk songs and well-known international melodies to show support for the areas affected by the earthquake in Hualien County on April 3rd. The “Acevedo Music & Art Education Foundation” led by Huang Yingying had already donated $2,000 through Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare in late April. The funds raised from this concert will be donated to Yu-Shan Theological College near Liyu Lake in Hualien to help repair damaged school buildings, roads, and restore the school to normal operation.
Rosemary Yang, the chairperson of the Los Angeles branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC), who co-organized the concert, is not Taiwanese but a long-time friend of Ambassador Jyoti, the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) without a portfolio. She expressed her support saying, “Ambassador Jyoti is like my big sister, so of course I want to support this event.” The concert aimed to soothe the hearts of the audience through music and featured many children and young musicians who have studied under Huang Yingying, all coming together to contribute to the indigenous people affected by the disaster in Hualien.
After the concert, the organizers prepared refreshments for the guests, hoping to inject strength into the rebuilding efforts in the disaster-stricken areas of Hualien through the power of music and love. Many parents and philanthropists generously contributed, showing their care and support for the earthquake victims in Hualien through their actions.