Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:57:31 -0400WeeblySun, 30 Aug 2026 21:12:51 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-asbury-methodist-village4737371

Today, Music & Love held a wonderful concert at Asbury Methodist Village as part of the 2026 Summer Concert Series. I can’t believe how quickly summer has passed and that fall is already coming! I started the concert by performing Bach’s Invention No. 7 on the piano. After I finished playing, a lady came up to me and complimented my performance, which made me feel very happy and proud. There were many wonderful performances by young musicians. Some of my favorites were “Gracefulness” by Gabriel Zhou, Sonatina by Caitlyn Xu, and Beethoven’s Sonata by Jacob Wang. Jacob’s performance was especially captivating. He was completely into his music and played with so much passion and energy that he seemed to pass that feeling on to everyone in the audience. I also enjoyed listening to the other performers play a variety of piano, flute, and duet pieces, including a violin piece by Lucy Hu and a flute piece by Olivia Dai. Everyone did a great job, and I loved hearing such a wide variety of music. After the performances, Candice, Caitlyn, and I went outside and played with cups filled with water. It was a simple activity, but we had a lot of fun and laughed together. It was a nice way to relax and spend time with my friends after the concert. Overall, I had a wonderful time performing, listening to other young musicians, and spending time with my friends. Today’s Music & Love concert was fun, meaningful, and full of great music and happy memories! (Reported by Grace Zhou)

]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:57:52 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-holy-cross-hospital4864919

Today’s "Music and Love" performing session at Holy Cross Hospital was a massive success, achieving perfect timing and flawless execution to create a memorable experience for everyone in the building. The goal of the service project was to use the therapeutic power of music to comfort patients and their loved ones, spreading lively melodies across the facility to offer a peaceful distraction from the hospital environment. The performance featured a standout set from Sihong, who played the song "Blue and White Porcelain" on the pipa. Introducing this traditional Chinese instrument added a unique cultural depth to the concert that deeply resonated with the audience and brought complete satisfaction to the heart of the building. Following this, the violin duets energized the atmosphere by playing the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. We concluded the concert with Jeremy, who demonstrated great fluency and skill while playing "River Flows in You" on the piano. The performance attracted a lot of positive attention from people walking in and out of the building, drawing onlookers who paused to listen. Though the time felt like it passed in just a minute because the audience was so engaged, the concert concluded beautifully with Jeremy delivering the final speech, which served as the perfect closing to a successful day of community service. (Reported by Jeremy Shu)

]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:25:52 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-brightview-great-falls-va6406390

Today's Music and Love performance opened with a more atmospheric and introspective mood, as the familiar notes of Moonlight Sonata settled over the room. The following pieces carried this reflective quality forward with gentle, flowing melodies before the program shifted into the relaxed goofy rhythms of Blue Bossa and Take Five on saxophone. The change immediately drew the audience in, with several seniors snapping along, swaying their hands to the beat, and smiling at the jazzy turns. The quick, upbeat sonatinas that followed brought another burst of energy, earning delighted exclamations of “wow” from audience members impressed by their speed and lively character. As the program continued, the music traveled through an increasingly wide range of styles. The precise structure of a prelude and fugue contrasted with the fluid, impressionistic quality of Debussy's Arabesques, while another spirited sonatina kept the concert moving. A particularly distinctive moment came with Blue and White Porcelain, performed on the pipa, introducing the delicate and expressive sound of a traditional Chinese instrument. Brahms, Prokofiev, and Debussy closed the program with commanding passages, intricate technique, and intense bursts of energy. The final three performances left the seniors visibly impressed as they watched the performer navigate rapid passages and dramatic shifts with remarkable precision and control. As the performers made one last bow, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause and admiration. (Reported by Angelina Lin)

]]>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:59:01 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-raphael-house2918529

Today, our musicians from Music & Love held a fantastic concert at Raphael House. Allie Rui started the concert by playing a beautiful piece on the violin named Allegro Brillant, followed by a slow and romantic piece, Waltz in A minor, played by Juechen Tan on the piano. Then, Elaine Ma, Nathan Zarr, and Timmy Li all showed their musical talents by playing on the violin and piano. After that, Jefferson Wang played Etude 79 on the trumpet; it was fast and cheerful. Evelyn Thai, Aileen Jin, Edwin Thai, Rishita Dey, and Riddhima Dey played very well by showing some music from different periods. Then, Ethan Zhang played Thunder in Drought Season, a very famous Chinese folk piece with vibrant energy. Esther Tian was after him, and she played the Concerto No. 1 in G Minor on the violin. It was a fast and lively piece. Lastly, I concluded the concert by playing the violin. I played Bach's Concerto in A Minor, 3rd Movement. This piece is lively and cheerful. Everyone who participated did amazingly. It was a great opportunity for young musicians to bring happiness to the residents who live in Raphael House. (Reported by Jacob Wang)

]]>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:21:27 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-brigthview-fallsgrove

Today, our Music & Love musicians performed at Brightview Fallsgrove. As always, our young musicians did an amazing job! They played with confidence, passion, and beautiful musical expression. Their performance brought smiles and joy to the audience and created a warm and lovely atmosphere. After the performance, we asked our audience how they felt about the Music & Love event. Their responses touched our hearts and reminded us why we share music with the community. One lady told us that “it is such a great thing to have music in a day.” She thanked us for bringing this lovely moment to them and for sharing the wonderful young musicians with the audience. Her words reminded us that even a short musical performance can bring joy and warmth to someone’s day. After the event, another lady came up to speak with our performers. She shared that she had been a musician when she was young and had played the violin for many years. Listening to our young violinist brought her back to those beautiful days. The music reminded her of her younger years and filled her heart with wonderful memories. She said the music lifted her mood and made her feel young again. Another lady shared a deeply touching story. She had not originally lived in this community. Her husband passed away two years ago, and she moved here because her son lives in the area. At first, this place was unfamiliar to her, but she told us that she has now begun to love it because of the wonderful people she has met here—including our lovely performers. She said she hopes we will come back often because our music brings “sunlight” into her days. One more audience member told us that she used to be an elementary school teacher. Our young performers brought her memories back to the classroom and reminded her of the beautiful moments she shared with children throughout her teaching years. These stories showed us that Music & Love is about much more than performing music. Music can connect generations, bring back cherished memories, comfort people through difficult times, and brighten someone’s day. We are grateful to every audience member who opened their hearts and shared their stories with us. Their words inspire our young musicians to continue sharing music, kindness, and love with the community. (Reported by Candice Xu)

]]>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-manorhouse5301416

I had a heartwarming and enriching experience playing for the elderly at the Manorhouse. As the residents gathered in the parlor, I prepared myself for the performance by reviewing my musical score and making sure I was ready. Once I began, my fingers traveled across the keys, creating a harmony of enchanting music that filled the room. Although I felt nervous at first, I gradually became more comfortable as I noticed the audience smiling and listening attentively. When the final note came to an end, the room filled with warm applause, and I felt a deep sense of happiness and accomplishment. That day, I learned that performing on the piano is about much more than simply making sounds or playing the correct notes. Music has the ability to bring people together, create happiness, and brighten someone’s day. Seeing the joy on the residents’ faces showed me how meaningful it can be to share my talent with others. The experience taught me that playing music is a form of dedication and generosity, and that the greatest reward is knowing that something I love can bring comfort and happiness to someone else. (Reported by Stephen Chen)

]]>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 21:47:56 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-byron-house9238574

Today, Music & Love held a wonderful summer concert at Byron House. The event brought together young musicians and dancers who shared their talents with the residents through music and dance. The concert featured many different instruments, including violin, piano, cello, flute, pipa, and guzheng. The audience enjoyed a variety of musical styles, from famous classical works like Bach Concerto in A Minor, Für Elise, and The Swan to traditional Chinese pieces such as Flower Festival, Fisherman Song, and Yi Jian Mei. There was also a beautiful dance performance, Ballet, which added even more excitement to the program.  Each performer showed confidence, hard work, and a love for music. Whether playing a fast violin piece, a peaceful piano solo, or a traditional Chinese instrument, every student helped create a warm and joyful afternoon for the audience. The Music & Love concert was more than just a performance. It was a chance for young musicians to share kindness, bring happiness to the Byron House residents, and use music to connect people. The smiles and applause from the audience showed how much the performances were appreciated. It was a meaningful event that reminded everyone that music can bring people together and spread love across generations. (Reported by Candice Xu)

]]>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:44:55 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/music-and-love-wins-best-sales-pitch-at-childrens-business-fair

On Saturday, Allie, Candice, Caitlyn, Timmy, and I participated in the Montgomery Children's Business Fair. At our table, we sold keychains, scrunchies, hair ties, and other fun accessories. Candice and Caitlyn also brought colorful beads so customers could design and make their own bracelets. This activity was very popular, and many people enjoyed creating their own unique bracelets. What made this event even more special was that all the money we raised will be donated to the Children's Inn at NIH to help children with rare diseases. We worked together to introduce our organization, Music and Love, explain our mission, and share why we wanted to participate in the Children's Business Fair. We also answered questions from customers and judges. Our teamwork and hard work paid off because, at the end of the event, we won the Best Sales Pitch Award and received a $50 prize! There were also many funny moments during the event. A boy from another table gave everyone balloons. Then Candice accidentally hit Caitlyn's balloon really hard, and it floated over some buildings. We never saw it again! Another funny moment was when Allie jokingly tried to "attack" an upside-down-faced Lafufu with a pair of scissors. Thankfully, the little Lafufu survived, and I got to take it home! Overall, the Montgomery Children's Business Fair was a wonderful experience. We raised money to help children with rare diseases, introduced more people to Music and Love, and had a lot of fun working together. I am proud of what our team accomplished, and I hope we can participate again next year! (Reported by Grace Zhou)

]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:04:16 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-ingleside-at-king-farm8953546

Today I played Vivaldi Concerto on the violin at the Music and Love Summer Concert in such a nice place. I was happy to perform with so many talented musicians. Everyone played a different style of music, and I enjoyed listening to all of them. Jacob played Bach Prelude. It was very fast and exciting. Carl played Meditation de Thaïs, which was slow, peaceful, and beautiful. Miya’s Debussy piece sounded soft and colorful. Elaine’s Konzert had many fast notes and was fun to hear. Nathan’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik was lively. Jacqueline and Julianne played Can Can, and it made everyone smile. Vincent’s Sonata was energetic, and Sihong and Lucy performed Big Fish with lots of emotion. Grace played Bach Invention No. 7 with very clear short notes. Faith and Esther’s Pirates of the Caribbean was exciting. Gabriel’s Tender Flower was gentle, Ethan’s piece had beautiful legato, Elizabeth’s Valse Romantique was pretty and smooth, and Selina’s The Fair was lovely. I also liked Juechen’s fun waltz. It was a wonderful concert, and I learned a lot from all the performers. I think the audience enjoyed the concert, and I did too! I am looking forward to next concert. (Reported by Timmy Li)

]]>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.musicandlove.org/local-impact/concert-at-raphael-house4246608

We continued our 2026 Summer Concert at Raphael House today, and we had a wonderful afternoon with the seniors! Avery started the concert with a beautiful dance. She moved so softly and gracefully with the music, just like a butterfly dancing over the water. It was so pretty to watch! Next, Sihong and Lucy performed a pipa and singing duet called Big Fish, which is a very popular Chinese song. The beautiful pipa music and Lucy’s lovely singing sounded amazing together. Many people in the audience really enjoyed it. We also had lots of wonderful piano and violin solo performances by our talented young musicians. Every performance was special and made the concert even more exciting. At the end, Joanna finished the concert with a guzheng piece called Fishermen’s Song. The guzheng has a very unique and beautiful sound that is different from the other instruments we usually hear. Joanna’s fingers moved so smoothly across the strings that it felt like she was telling a story with her music. It made us imagine being on a peaceful lake with the fishermen, enjoying a great day of fishing. The seniors really enjoyed all of the performances and were so happy to spend the afternoon with us. Seeing their smiles made us happy too. We are so glad we could share our music and bring them joy! (Reported by Julianne Chung)

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