New York, April 25 (CNA) A group of young Taiwanese musicians based in the United States will perform a concert in New York City Thursday in which they will present a fusion of Asian and Western music, according to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, which is organizing the event.

The program by the New Asia Chamber Music Society will include classical music and Taiwanese folk songs such as Green Island Serenade, Romance in Four Seasons and The Nightfall Hometown, the organizers said.

The group will perform again in May, with a third concert scheduled to take place in June.

The New York-based group was founded in 2010 by Chen Nan-cheng, a cellist and graduate of The Juilliard School -- America's most prestigious music school -- with the aim of staging exceptional performances of the finest works of chamber and other Western music, as well as showcasing contemporary Asian culture.

Every member arrived in America at a young age to pursue their dreams of a career in music, Chen noted.

Taiwanese folk songs have been part of the group's repertoire since its establishment, Chen went on, adding that this time, they will also present a new piece written by young Taiwanese composer Jay Wei-Chieh Lin.

Lin, who settled in the U.S at the age of 14, spent six months writing the piece, which is designed to highlight the different playing characteristics of each of the members.

For example, violinist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, who teaches music at the University of Southern California, is an excellent soloist, while Kevin Shue, also a violinist, helps bring out the best in everyone during the group's performances, Lin said.

Although they all come from different U.S. cities and only meet during music festivals, Chen said, their shared love of Taiwan and their passion for classical music keeps them together.

(By Leaf Chiang and Maia Huang)
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