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Experience an unforgettable evening with Qais Essar, a pioneering Afghan composer and rabab virtuoso who weaves the traditional sounds of the mountainous Hindu Kush region with contemporary global music. The rabab, an instrument first mentioned in Arabic texts of the tenth century, is a plucked lute considered by many to be Afghanistan’s national instrument and a precursor of the sarod, prominent in North Indian classical music . Qais’s music blends Afghan folk, Americana, and other sources, creating a unique soundscape that feels both timeless and boundary-pushing. Following the performance, join us for a Q&A with Qais, where he will share insights into his creative process, collaborations, and the inspirations behind his music. This close-up experience will offer a rare chance to delve into the mind of an artist dedicated to reimagining Afghan music for the modern world. About the artist: Qais Essar is an acclaimed Afghan composer, rabab player, and producer who bridges the ancient and modern through his music. Known for his innovative blending of Afghan folk with rich, genre-defying sounds from Western roots music, Qais has performed globally, including with the Oxford Philharmonic, and his music has been featured in major motion pictures and festivals. His compositions include original pieces for Oscar-nominated films Three Songs for Benazir and The Breadwinner. The latter earned him a Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Song. Qais brings traditional Afghan music to new, global audiences. Visit: Soundscapes of Afghanistan: Tradition Reimagined with Qais Essar Quais Essar on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for a captivating evening with the Pacific Trio, featuring three distinguished masters of traditional Chinese instruments and repertoire—David Liu on zheng (a plucked zither), Celia Liu on pipa (a plucked lute), and Qi-Chao Liu on dizi (a bamboo transverse flute). Together, they bring the rich soundscape of traditional Chinese music to life, blending classical techniques and repertoire with their own unique artistry. From the delicate tones of the zheng to the vibrant melodies of the pipa and the expressive voice of the dizi, the Trio’s performance will provide a glimpse of the beauty and depth of the Chinese musical heritage. Stay after the concert for a Q&A with the artists and explore their musical journeys, instruments, and inspirations up close. About the artists: The Pacific Trio is composed of three Los Angeles-based artists, all among the finest Chinese musicians of their generation living in the United States. David Chu-Yao Liu (zheng) studied under famous zheng masters and graduated from the Taiwan National Academy of the Arts. He has performed all over the world and in 1989 founded the Zheng Hsin Chinese Zither Orchestra of Los Angeles. Celia Liu graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in China and worked at the National Orchestra in Beijing. She won the award for “Most Excellent Performance” at the Art Cup international competition. She was invited to perform with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded over a hundred soundtracks for movies and TV series with Warner Brothers Nickelodeon “Kung Fu Panda”. Qi-Chao Liu (dizi), musicologist, educator, and bandleader, is an accomplished performer on a wide variety of Chinese instruments. He graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Traditional and Western Music and, in 1997, was invited to attend the Asian Pacific Performance Exchange Fellowship Program through UCLA. Visit: Sounds of Dynasties: Living Traditions of China

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