Our International Traditional Music Schools

Over the past two years, we have been setting-up traditional music schools in several countries abroad- in Kyrgyzstan and Taiwan- and are in the process of setting up another in India. In addition to the youth and the teachers established, we have developed partnerships with reputable NGOs based in the regions, already doing work groundbreaking work with children (in other fields, such as social work, tutoring, etc.).

KYRGYZSTAN
We are working with Bishkek based NGO, Taalim-Forum, to develop a school the village of Jany-Tilek, which is located in the mountains of the Ak-Tala district, Naryn region. The students will be taught by two teachers, and managed by Akylbek Serkebaev, one of the most famous musicians in the country. We have purchased enough traditional instruments for all the students from a famous elder instrument maker. They will not only learn the traditional instruments, but the national epic singing called, Manas, the oldest epic in the world. (See Photo Above)

NEPAL
Bay Area and Dharamsala based Tibetan master musician, Techung, went to a Tibetan exile village in the mountains of Nepal in October of 2009 to hire the teacher and purchase the instruments for the children of this politically difficult region and community.

TAIWAN
We are working in the central mountain region of Taiwan with the indigenous Thao people, an endangered culture, whose language only has 5-6 speakers. We have transcribed their traditional music and are working with the elders to develop a pedagogy to teach the next generation this music.

Eventually, within the next couple of years, several of these students will be invited to join the San Francisco based ensemble for their Home Season performances. This year, they will make their debut through video stream on-stage.