During my 2014 June-July residency at Civitella Ranieri, every day provided new opportunities to learn not only from the vibrant culture of Umbria, but also from the various cultures of all the other Fellows.  To me, culture is an inter-generational and cross-cultural evolution of the arts and humanities, and the advancement of our human civilization depends on bridging the cultural territory that spans the East and West. In my music I seek a confluence of Western and Eastern heritages and histories in which both worlds share, complement and revitalize rich cultural legacies. Much gratitude to Civitella Ranieri Foundation whose generosity allowed me to pursue and even to excel my own dreams.