Songs of Memory

We’ve said it many times before but it’s worth repeating that your comprehensive collection is wonderful, and you are doing great work in documenting and preserving the traditions of the “Golden Triangle.” We were happy to support the collection’s exhibition here to enrich and educate the local community, and it was a great pleasure to have guest musicians Chi and Aju in residence to demonstrate the musical traditions of the Karen and Akha people, respectively. Thank you for all the time and energy spent organizing and preparing the exhibition material, and for your time in Hawaii interfacing with donors, students, and the general public. It was an important project, and well received.

Your Songs of Memory Exhibition is absolutely inspired work!  I’m hoping to return to the EWC upon my return to view it all again (my fourth visit!) and buy the book so that I can study your photos and what you’ve written.  Much aloha,

Gratitude
Exhibiting the Songs of Memory Collections at the East-West Center was made possible by the gracious support of Dr. Barbara Smith, a respected Ethnomusicologist and Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Hawai’i, who had been central to the cultural life of the state and the validation of its multi-cultural heritage. Through her stewardship of and personal intervention with youth, she assisted ethnic communities in developing a sense of their own identity and an understanding of their culture. Victoria is deeply grateful to Dr. Smith for championing the Songs Project. What an honor to know her.