Los Angeles Chinese Community Hosts Charity Concert, Spreading Warmth Through Music
LAPost/Arcadia, CA (February 3, 2025) – Supported by the United Chinese Americans (UCA) and the United Chinese Americans Community Foundation (UCACF), the 2025 Los Angeles Chinese Community Disaster Relief Concert—Rise From the Ashes—was successfully held on the evening of February 2 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Arcadia. The concert brought together outstanding artists who conveyed love and warmth through music, offering support and encouragement to those affected by disasters.
Prominent Chinese American philanthropists Charlie Zhang and Evan Lam, along with representatives from UCA and UCACF, including Sophia Li, attended the concert and generously contributed donations. Representatives from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), including Robert McLoud, and the Pasadena Humane Society, represented by Julie Nakahara, also delivered speeches, expressing their gratitude to the Chinese community.
This concert was initiated by two young artists actively engaged in the Southern California Chinese community—musical theater actress and director Meilin Qu and lyrical soprano, musical theater, and stage actress Nan Cui. Explaining the inspiration behind organizing the concert, they shared, “As Chinese musicians, we hope to use our expertise to bring spiritual comfort through music, offering hope and care to those in need. Through this concert, we aim to support the Los Angeles Fire Department, Pasadena Humane Society, and individuals and families affected by the wildfires. At the same time, we want to pay tribute to the brave firefighters, provide shelter for displaced animals, and assist disaster victims in rebuilding their homes.”
Despite a short preparation period, the concert delivered a high-level performance. Musicians presented not only beautiful melodies from traditional Chinese music but also classic works by world-renowned composers such as Bach, Liszt, and Bernstein, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Internationally renowned cellist Yi-Bing Chu and pianist Xiao Dong performed a selection of pieces, including Ave Maria by Bach-Gounod, Sicilienne by Fauré, and Three Wishes of a Rose by Chinese composer Huang Zi. Nan Cui and Meilin Qu sang For Good, one of the most touching songs from the Broadway musical Wicked.
Guitarist and composer Kenton Youngstrom delivered solo performances of Capricho Árabe and Prelude No. 1. Soprano Xian Qin captivated the audience with My Deep Affection Awaits You.
Dr. K (Kemin Zhang), a Chinese Canadian magician who had just concluded his performance at the Magic Castle’s China Week, was originally scheduled to fly back to Canada on the concert day. However, upon receiving an invitation from Meilin Qu, he changed his flight plans and appeared at the concert, serving as both the host and a performer, showcasing his piano solo and magic tricks, much to the audience’s delight.
High school pianist Celine Zhu, a student at the Colburn School under the tutelage of Jeffrey Lavner, performed Liszt’s Waldesrauschen (Forest Murmurs), demonstrating the extraordinary talent of the new generation of musicians.
Young singer and violinist Isolde Fair, a 2023 Grammy nominee, lost her home in the Palisades during the recent Los Angeles wildfires. After receiving an invitation from philanthropist Charlie Zhang, she chose to perform at this concert despite the Grammy Awards ceremony taking place on the same night. She sang her original song Time Traveler and joined the grand finale with a violin performance of Smile, using music to convey resilience and strength.
The concert successfully raised a total of $16,000 in donations to support the Los Angeles Fire Department, Pasadena Humane Society, and disaster victims. On February 3, Meilin Qu and Nan Cui officially handed over the donations to these organizations to assist in rescue efforts and post-disaster recovery.
As with all major events in the Chinese community, this concert’s success was made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers. The production and volunteer team included Jason Wang, Jinyan Xu, Michelle Miao, John Zheng, Judy Wang, Qiang Li, Eason Sun, Dimo Zhang, Alice Fu, Carol Yang, Kino Li, Xiaoyu Zheng, Andy Xie, Meilin Li, Alexandra Li, Alvin Koan, Aria Zhang, and others. Their hard work and dedication ensured the smooth execution of the event.
This charity concert not only showcased the unity and philanthropic spirit of the Chinese community but also used the power of music to ignite hope and spread warmth. (By: Richard Ren / LAPost)
(All photo By: Richard Ren/LAPost)
