CAS Newsletter

Spring comes early in Texas. Out my window, the ice storm now a frigid memory, the jonquils are blooming already. (In New Hampshire, where I attended college, they hesitantly made their appearance in early May.) Events are blooming as well.

February and March as you will see below, include opportunities to learn more about “conscientious objectors” in Japan during World War II, attend a lecture on “China, Taiwan and US Foreign Policy” as well as attend the 21st Annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival, and UTD’s annual International Week. We invite you also to consider attending the Winter Concert of the Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra and the 2023 Conference/Chinese New Year Celebration of the Dallas US China Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, since Spring implies Summer, and it might be wise to guarantee a place for your child(ren) for the immensely popular–and educational–Gong Fu Panda Summer Camp that the Center for Asian Studies offers.

Happy Almost Spring: May knowledge, understanding and good will blossom along with the flowers.

- Dennis Kratz

7:00 - 9:00 PM at the ATEC Building, Room ATC 3.225

800 W Campbell Rd

ATC 3.225

Richardson, TX 75080

Join the CAS and Japan-America Society of Dallas Fort Worth as we host author Michiko Yoshikawa Johnson, whose earliest childhood memories inspired many of the characters in her historical fiction novel, The Red Paper.

Based on real events during WWII and immediately after the war. The novel focuses on the Sekihara Family. Giichi, who has decided to refuse his Japanese military draft notice, a choice that could lead to torture and family dishonor, and Kinuko, his wife who is caught trying to protect her family from the chaos of war.

The first English-language novel of it’s kind, it speaks of the minority report of Japan’s conscientious objectors. Painting a portrait of the Japanese political landscape and citizens’ everyday lives between the years leading up to Pearl Harbor and the end of the War. The novel represents the author’s desire to honor the best of humanity and provide Western readers with what they have not heard ― a side of Japan beyond Japanese official records and American war time propaganda.

**10 free tickets for UTD students have been placed on hold. Please contact rebecca@jasdfw.org with your UTD email!

The Center for Asian Studies is honored to be a sponsoring partner of the 21st Annual Texas Guitar International Competition and Festival! Two of this year’s three featured performers are Asian:

Sohta Nakabayashi was born in Tokyo (Japan) in the year 2000 and began studying guitar at the age of three, with teacher Takayuki Azuma. In 2004, he met the guitarist Manuel Babiloni on one of his tours of Japan, who became his reference teacher and with whom he maintained constant contact through regular meetings, both in Spain and Japan, until his sudden death, in 2015.

Currently, he studies the Superior Degree of Guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Madrid (RCSMM), with Professor D. Miguel Trápaga. He has attended numerous courses, such as the “José Luis González Memorial” International Guitar Course, directed by Manuel Babiloni (Estella, 2005-2014); or the International Guitar Course “Manuel Babiloni Memorial”, with professor Óscar Ebro (Vilafamés, 2016-2021).

One of his most recent achievements includes being junior winner at the 2022 Concurso Internacional de Guitarra Alhambra.

Shih-yu (Jimmy) Liu was born in Taiwan. He obtained his Master’s degree under Professor Nicholas Goluses from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY.

In 1993, Shih-yu Liu entered the Taiwan National University of Arts with the best entry exam results, majoring in classical guitar. Excelling at this guitar training, Shih-yu was chosen to perform a guitar concerto with the university’s orchestra. In 1997, Shih-yu graduated first in his class, and in 1999 received a scholarship to enter the Eastman School of Music.

In addition to recitals and ensembles, Shih-yu is often invited to perform together with a variety of orchestras today and presents the radio program “Sound of The Guitar” since 2009, which was nominated in “49th Taiwan National Radio Award (Gold Bell Award)” in 2014.

Shih-yu has been invited to play for many guitar festivals over the world, and currently teaches at the Taiwan National University of Arts, and is also the artistic director of “Taiwan International Guitar Festival & Competition.” (Since 2012)

Come join us at UTD for this spectacular 3-day event!

March 2

• 7:30 PM, Jonsson Performance Hall - Introduction by Mayor of Richardson, Paul Voelker and Concert Performance by Jimmy Liu from Taiwan

March 3

• 7:00 PM, Jonsson Performance Hall - Pre-Concert Performance by Sohta Nakabayashi from Japan, the Concurso Internacional de Guitarra Alhambra junior winner

• 7:30 PM, University Theatre - Adult Competition Finals

March 4

• 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Jonsson Performance Hall - Vendor Demo with past Youth Winners playing vendors’ guitars

• 4:00 PM, Jonsson Performance Hall - Tribute Concert for Robert Guthrie, head for the guitar program at SMU

• 7:00 PM, Jonsson Performance Hall - Pre-Concert Performance by Austin ensembles, directed by Klondike Steadman

• 7:30 PM, University Theatre - Concert Performance by Ivan Petricevic, first place winner of the 2022 Texas Guitar Competition and Intermission: Winner announcement ceremony

1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Student Union (SU) Faculty Dining Hall

800 W Campbell Rd

SU Faculty Dining Hall

Richardson, TX 75080

This year, UTD will observe International Week, or iWeek, from March 6-10. Partnering with the UTD Global Engagement Office and Intercultural Programs (ICP), the CAS and AHT Chinese Program will once again be showcasing the Chinese Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy Workshop at the iWeek on March 8!

iWeek is a week of intercultural focused programs and events that showcase international culture through food, music, performance art and much more. iWeek is brought to you by Intercultural Programs with the participation of student cultural organizations and several departments across Campus.

See below for more information:

6:00 - 7:30 PM, specific location on the UTD main campus will be provided after RSVP (see button below)

The CAS is co-sponsoring this upcoming lecture held by the School of Economics, Political, and Policy Sciences (EPPS).

Michael Cunningham is a research fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center, where he focuses on China’s domestic politics and foreign policy.

Prior to relocating to Washington, D.C. in 2021, Cunningham spent over a decade in the Greater China region, where he advised multinational businesses on the political, operational, and security risks associated with their business activities in China and Northeast Asia.

Cunningham obtained a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in international affairs from American University. He has lived extensively in both mainland China and Taiwan and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Portuguese.

The CAS is proud to promote the following community events:

6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts

2351 Performance Dr
Richardson, TX 75082

The Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra (DAAYO)'s evening Winter Concert will feature their Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. This concert will be an exciting night of music featuring a blend of western classical music and two beautiful pieces drawn from Asia, with a special solo performer – Ms. Yuxin Mei on pipa. Award winning conductors Matthew Moreno (Symphony) & Sadarius Slaughter (Philharmonic) conduct the two groups.

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel

6007 Legacy Dr

Plano, TX 75024

The US China Chamber of Commerce – Dallas (USCCC) will be celebrating the Year of the Rabbit and its 29th anniversary. The annual conference and lunch banquet is expected to attract 500+ DFW area members of the Chinese American business community together with other community leaders and politicians at all levels. The theme for the conference is Chinese New Year Celebration and Post-Pandemic Opportunities and Challenges.

Founded in 1994, USCCC focuses on serving members consisting of large and small businesses as well as individual entrepreneurs and aspiring professionals. We regularly organize gatherings on and offline, for networking, education, collaboration, and mutual support among our members. USCCC has also established the Youth Entrepreneurs Society program for local high school students to prepare them with insights and advice on work-readiness, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

The Gong Fu Panda Camp returns for Summer 2023, and we are partnering with NiHao – Food Bank Initiative! Official registration is not available yet, but Pre-Register now (no deposit needed) to secure the spot for your child(ren)! Spots are very limited and on a first come, first served basis.

Visit the camp page on our website for more information:

Thursday, May 18 | Camp Orientation

Anyone who is interested in the camp is greatly welcomed to attend. Orientation will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in JSOM 2.722 on the UT Dallas campus.

Friday, June 30 | Camp Closing Showcase

Parents and friends will be invited to celebrate with their campers. The Camp Closing Show will be held from 2:00-3:00PM in JO 2.604.

Email: asianstudies@utdallas.edu
Website: https://asianstudies.utdallas.edu/
Location: 800 West Campbell Road, JO 5.504, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 883-2798
Facebook: facebook.com/AsianStudiesUTDallas
Twitter: @cas_utd