Artist Spotlight

Chromic Duo and NY Philharmonic’s Team Up For Augmented Reality Concert Experience in NYC

Chromic Duo – Lucy Yao and Dorothy Chan – are teaming up with the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program for a project entitled “Emerald Futures” where they will combine the performance of the original compositions from the young composers (ages 12-16) with an augmented reality sound walk through New York City. The augmented reality experience will be available to anyone who would like to participate via the app Gesso (available on iOS and Android) starting on July 2nd.

An innovative way to experience music and storytelling, the walk will give listeners a multi-sensory experience as they experience the freedom of exploring the city while immersed in the sounds of original compositions. The scripted audio sound walk will lead listeners on a path through the city from New York’s Central Park to the Lincoln Center using a GPS trigger to create site-specific concert experiences, accessible to the participant at any time.

The experience culminates with Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s “We Belong Here” mural as a moment of reflection and response to ending AAPI hate. Phingbodhipakkiya created the “We Belong Here” campaign to confront the surge in bias and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders – a cause that Yao and Chan are also supporting in their forthcoming work with Mott Street Girls to support local Chinatown businesses that have been impacted by the rise of AAPI crime. “In the wake of exclusion, noticing how much oppression there is in our world right now, we want to create a hybrid experience to experience concerts in public spaces that is the epitome of accessibility and inclusion,” says the duo. “We are motivated to create spaces where stories can be told to foster a deeper understanding of humanizing perspectives.” Through their own self-discovery as first and second-generation Asian Americans, Chromic Duo understands how expansive the diaspora is and how it fails to describe who they truly are. “By having so much that is undefined, part of the beauty behind this project is to create moments where there is a grey area- where sound is met with a strike of lightning in color, where the history of NYC is reflected on through a contemporary narrative of music by the next generation of young composers and thinkers,” says Yao.

Overall, Chromic Duo hopes that this reflective music and narration will allow participants to immerse themselves in an experience that brings to light the stories and perspectives of people and communities around them so that they can be inspired to respond based on empathy instead of biased judgment. “We also hope to inspire the young composers of this program to lean into their curiosities, and always be questioning and challenging the norms of how things came to be,” says Lucy Yao. “We often ask ourselves, ‘how can we use music as a positive force and tool to bring people together?’ Music has the power to take your perceived biases and understanding of the world and challenge them.” By bringing a new perspective on how participants perceive their environment and connect themselves within their communities, they are excited to see how it can interact with music to create innovative ways of “going through the motions” in an amplified manner that allows for new connections to happen.

About New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program:

An afterschool program through the School Partnership Program for grades 7-10, the Very Young Composer’s Program exposes students to the instruments of the orchestra, nurtures their inherent creativity, and culminates with original works performed by members of the Philharmonic. Students with or without musical backgrounds create, notate, and hear their very own music performed by Philharmonic musicians — often the full Orchestra — with the help of Philharmonic Teaching Artists serving as mentors. The VYC idea is rapidly catching on as it has reached children on four continents in countries including Korea, China, Japan, Venezuela, Spain, and Finland. VYC students in various American cities are exchanging “musical postcards” with these children around the world.

About Chromic Duo: Chromic Duo is an award-winning electronic toy piano duo that brings new audiences together by creating new connections between classical music, electronics, and multimedia. “Tackling large issues with toy pianos” – Chromic pushes the possibilities of genres and performance by recontextualizing classical music in multimedia work inspired by the multitudes as third-culture-kids discovering their voice within the vast Asian American diaspora. The duo composes and reorchestrates indie, classical, ambient, and electronica into arrangements that use any combination of keyboard instruments – ranging from the toy piano to melodica, toy horn, audio-reactive installations, and instruments that link sound to color and movement. Widely known as creatives in other aspects as well, Chromic Duo has projects ranging from collaborations with the New York Philharmonic Young Composers Program, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Educational Initiative, working in collaboration with the Design Museum of Chicago for two world premiere pieces during the pandemic, and other virtual experience collaborations that bring light to Asian-American identities and racial power structures. They were recently announced as the winners of Concert Artist Guild and Young Concert Artists Trust – opening doors for prestigious debuts at famous international venues like Carnegie and Wigmore.

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Connect with Chromic Duo:

Website | Instagram | Spotify

More information on the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composer’s Program:

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Artist Spotlight

Lil Wayne to Headline First-Ever Madison Square Garden Concert to Celebrate Album Drop

Few artists have influenced hip-hop quite like Lil Wayne, and he’s about to make an exciting mark once again, this time in New York City. On Friday, June 6, the iconic rapper will host his very first headlining concert at Madison Square Garden as he celebrates the release of his highly anticipated new album, Tha Carter VI. This new chapter in the Tha Carter series has been six years in the making, and it’s generating a lot of excitement.

Wayne has revealed that the album cover features a childhood version of himself, complete with face tattoos. This nostalgic artwork connects to the past while showing how he has grown and evolved as an artist. Madison Square Garden is a legendary venue that has hosted many great musicians and athletes over the years, making it the perfect place for Wayne to unveil his new music. This concert feels like a triumphant celebration of his career, a moment of reflection and renewal. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Wayne shared some insights into his creative process for Tha Carter VI.

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He hinted that this album will surprise listeners with its sound. He’s exploring new ideas and collaborations that fans didn’t see coming, which makes the anticipation even greater. This concert promises to be a celebration of Wayne’s legacy and creativity. Whether you’ve been a fan since his early days or just started listening to his music with his last album, June 6 at Madison Square Garden will be an unforgettable night.

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Artist Spotlight

Chloe Bailey’s Acting Career Is Just Getting Started

Chloe Bailey, known for her amazing singing as part of the duo Chloe x Halle, is quickly making a name for herself in acting. While she started in music, her new roles in movies and TV show that she has a lot more to offer beyond singing. As she takes on different characters, it’s clear that her acting journey is just beginning, and the future looks really promising.

Chloe’s move into acting makes sense. From a young age, she had a natural charm and the ability to express herself, which has translated well from music to acting. Her background in music, which is full of emotional performances and storytelling, helped her create strong characters with depth and feeling, two important aspects of successful acting. Chloe truly engages with her roles, bringing realness and passion to every character she plays.

One of her first big roles was in the Freeform series “Grown-ish,” where she and her sister Halle appeared regularly. This show allowed viewers to see Chloe’s acting skills in a fun, comedic light and helped her transition to more serious roles. While “Grown-ish” showcased her natural talent on camera, her later roles have pushed her boundaries, showing her ability to tackle more intense and challenging characters.

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In the horror film “The Exorcism,” Chloe demonstrated her bravery by diving into a demanding, scary genre. Her performance was gripping, showcasing her capability to engage the audience through fear, vulnerability, and strength. Horror roles can be tough, but Chloe handled it gracefully, proving she can take on serious responsibilities in acting.

On the other hand, Jane’s role in the psychological drama provided a completely different challenge. In this film, Chloe explored themes like identity and mental health, diving deep into a character’s mind in turmoil. Her performance was rich and meaningful, revealing her dedication to her craft. Instead of playing it safe, she took a risk with a role that required emotional depth and did it wonderfully.

What’s exciting about Chloe’s acting career is her willingness to try diverse and challenging roles. She’s not limiting herself to just one type of character or genre, which is a smart move for a rising star. Whether it’s horror, drama, or comedy, Chloe shows real enthusiasm for exploring different sides of life. She has shared how much she enjoys becoming different characters and experiencing new stories. This enthusiasm makes her an exciting performer to watch.

Chloe has a magnetic presence on screen. The same intensity she brings to her music is evident in her acting, mixing emotion and passion in a genuine and relatable way. As she grows in this new area, it’s clear that her approach is both professional and heartfelt. She studies her roles, embraces the emotional journey of her characters, and brings her whole self to the screen.

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Additionally, her background in music enhances her acting. Musicians often have a strong sense of emotion and timing, which are invaluable traits in acting. Chloe’s skill at conveying subtle feelings and shifting between different moods is a big part of what makes her such an engaging presence.

With her acting career steadily growing and gaining attention, Chloe Bailey is establishing herself as a serious and respected actress. She’s not just depending on her music fame she’s creating an acting career that stands on its own. Her desire to challenge herself and seek out new creative opportunities shows that she’s in it for the long run.

In a world where many artists struggle to switch between music and acting, Chloe Bailey proves that talent, hard work, and passion can lead to success in many areas. Her acting journey is just getting started, and if her early performances are any indication, audiences can expect to see even more powerful and engaging roles from her in the future. Chloe Bailey is not just trying out acting she’s fully embracing it and is here to stay.

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