New May Store Update - Happy Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Happy May! This month, the Practice Space store is proud to honor Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by spotlighting avatars of remarkable composers. From the delicate nuances of Japanese koto music to the dynamic orchestral sounds of India, these composers represent a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation.

Each avatar in our store can be redeemed using Practice Gems, which students earn by meeting their daily practice goals. This engaging system motivates students to hone their skills and promotes the captivating stories and musical styles of each featured composer.

Additionally, we've put together a PDF packet interactive, educational activities for you to use with your students! This packet, which includes quizzes, facts about traditional Asian instruments, and fun educational puzzles, serves as an invaluable resource for educators to integrate into their lessons. Download your FREE packet here!

Don't miss out on the YouTube links we've provided for each composer's celebrated works, allowing you and your students to directly experience the diverse and rich contributions they've made to classical music.

Explore the new avatars this May and join us at Practice Space in celebrating the profound impact of Asian and Pacific Islander composers on the global music scene. Let's embrace the diversity that enriches our musical understanding and inspires us all!

Reena Esmail - I'm an American with Indian roots, and I blend music from both cultures.

Facts in app:

1. I earned degrees from Juilliard and Yale, specializing in composition.

2. My projects often blend Western ensembles with Indian musicians.

3. I co-founded Shastra, promoting collaboration across musical traditions.

4. My piece 'This Love Between Us' mixes Indian texts with choral traditions.

5. Teaching composition at various schools, I bridge cultures through education.

   Check out this performance of This Love Between Us:
   This Love Between Us: Reena Esmail - Lindsay Patterson Abdou, Vijay Gupta, Reena Esmail - YouTube

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Chinary Ung - I am a composer from Cambodia who mixes traditional Cambodian sounds with Western music.

Facts in app:

1. I'm the first American composer of Cambodian descent to win the prestigious Grawemeyer Award.

2. I often incorporate traditional Cambodian instruments into my compositions.

3. I am dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Cambodia's musical heritage.

4. I have taught music at several top universities in the U.S.

5. My compositions aim to bridge cultural gaps, fostering global understanding.

   Check out this performance of Space Between Heaven and Earth:
   Spiral XII "Space Between Heaven and Earth" (2017) - YouTube

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Dai Fujikura - I'm from Japan, but I live in London and make music that blends different sounds and tech.

Facts in app:

1. I moved to the UK as a child to pursue music education.

2. My compositions, known globally, often blend acoustic and electronic elements.

3. Major orchestras, including Tokyo and London, have performed my works.

4. My opera "Solaris" uniquely combines live orchestral music with electronic sounds.

5. I support emerging artists through my own music publishing label.

6. Check out this performance of Mina for 5 soloists and Orchestra:
   Mina for 5 soloists and Orchestra - Dai FUJIKURA - YouTube

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Isang Yun - I'm from South Korea, and I mix Korean and Western music to promote peace.

Facts in app:

1. I blend Korean instruments with Western orchestral techniques.

2. I was jailed for my peace advocacy before relocating to Germany.

3. My compositions often reflect themes of freedom and unity.

4. I've been honored globally for my musical and peace contributions.

5. I merge Korean musical traditions with Western classical forms.

6. Check out this performance of Mugung-Dong:
   Isang Yun: Mugung-Dong (1986) - YouTube

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Vijay Iyer - I'm a jazz musician who mixes jazz with South Asian sounds and explores new music ideas.

Facts in app:

1. I explore music's societal impact and teach at Harvard.

2. My Grammy-nominated album "Historicity" blends jazz with diverse musical styles.

3. I collaborate with artists across disciplines, from dance to film.

4. I mentor emerging musicians in jazz and creative expression.

5. My compositions reflect a fusion of various cultural and artistic influences.

6. Check out this performance of Tirtha:
   Tirtha - YouTube

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Background Update

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Some other fun additions
These all cheer the student on but also talk about tempo and other musical terms!