ECHO OF LOVE

Summit 成功举办——“Echo of Love”慈善音乐会

2025年5月24日晚6:30，一场充满爱与治愈力量的音乐盛典——“Echo of Love”（爱之回响）慈善音乐会，在Summit市Central Presbyterian Church隆重拉开序幕。这场由Summit华人协会倾力主办的音乐会汇聚了社区的无私善意与艺术的非凡魅力，全部票务收入捐赠至新泽西州的非营利组织Good Grief，以持续帮助那些失去至亲的孩子和家庭。

音乐会现场星光熠熠，世界级音乐家与青年才俊齐聚一堂。演出曲目类型丰富，从古典乐章到现代经典，无不扣人心弦。音乐会还特别邀请了来自Good Grief的家庭，和大家分享他们的故事以及创作的诗歌。音乐与叙述交织，爱与回忆流淌，观众沉浸其中被深深地打动。

由沈晓星老师指导的星韵童声合唱团，以一曲纯真的《I Love You, Mom 》作为开场，稚嫩却充满情感的童声，瞬间唤醒了在场每位观众心底的爱与思念。小提琴家陈叶霜、大提琴家刘千慈、钢琴家李雪莹以及打击乐演奏家茹意等共同演绎了巴赫的经典《Ave Maria》，其悠扬旋律如同一股暖流，缓缓抚慰着人心。

世界著名钢琴家李颖则以她精湛的琴艺，带来了肖邦的《C小调夜曲》和《Rigoletto》等独奏作品，引领观众进入沉思与感动的境界。此外，大提琴家刘千慈还与李颖合作了拉赫马尼诺夫的《练声曲》，并与小提琴家陈叶霜共同呈现了“神秘园”的《Sometimes When It Rains》和《Serenade to Spring》。竖琴小演奏家Elaine Fong和大提琴小演奏家Sophia Li，为大家带来了马斯涅（Massenet）的《冥想曲》，其优美的旋律久久在教堂内回荡，营造出宁静而治愈的氛围。

来自千慈青少年弦乐团、纽约州白平原摘星音乐塾、长岛Ru青少年打击乐团、长岛Tutti Music & Arts以及SHS Good Grief Club的优秀小演奏家们，通过器乐与打击乐的合奏形式焕发新意，演奏了多首脍炙人口的经典歌曲，如《Over the Rainbow》等，而《Stand by Me》一曲，则由来自Good Grief家庭的大提琴演奏者杨禹明和杨禹辰兄弟深情领奏，以此纪念他们已故的父亲，这份充满力量与思念的演绎，感动了在场的所有观众。音乐会的尾声，纽约心声中文合唱团在李陈晨总监的带领下，演唱了动人心弦的《What the World’s Given Me 世界赐予我的》《Forget Sorrows When Flowers Bloom花开忘忧》。芭蕾舞小演员Kerry Li, Olivia Huang在歌声中献舞，并为Good Grief家庭成员献花。

当晚最打动人心的时刻，莫过于几位朗读志愿者分享来自Good Grief家庭的真实故事与感人诗作。小志愿者Ella Chai用清澈的声音朗读了来自一位生命止于13岁女孩的诗作《Ode to Honey Bear》，其纯真而坚韧的情感令人动容。志愿者Tony深情地演绎了Good Grief家庭为纪念出生13个月便离开的小宝宝Luke Jaxon所写的诗歌，那份跨越生死的爱与思念，在朴实的话语中直击灵魂深处。志愿者Sherry和Lixia则分享了Good Grief家庭的真实故事，讲述了他们如何从失去挚爱的悲痛中逐渐找回力量，并积极回馈社区的感人历程。Good Grief成员Sam亲自讲述了他的家庭在失去孩子后如何通过参与Good Grief的活动走出阴霾，令现场许多观众潸然泪下。这些真挚的分享，深刻阐释了Good Grief的核心使命——帮助人们在经历失去后变得坚强，在逆境中获得成长。

此次音乐会，Summit华人协会携手Millburn 和Basking Ridge两大华人协会，联合推广Good Grief和慈善音乐会。Millburn市长Annette Romano女士以及Millburn华协会长Jeslyn Li女士；知名华人企业家毕谦女士，陈栋先生，王超先生等，也亲临音乐会现场，以实际行动表达了对公益事业和社区互助的坚定支持，为活动增添了光彩。主办方Summit华协会长宋佳在音乐会结束时表示： ECHO OF LOVE，不仅是一场音乐会，更是一次心灵的拥抱，一次关于爱的回响。愿这种温暖的力量，持续回荡在人与人之间，跨越痛苦，走向希望。

Good Grief于2004年在新泽西州创立，始终致力于帮助失去至亲的孩子和家庭培养抗挫力，巩固家庭纽带，并赋能社区。Good Grief自2007年在Summit市的Christ Church开启首次“支持之夜”（Night of Support）活动以来，截至2024年，Good Grief在Morristown和Princeton的两个支持中心已为新泽西州的Grief家庭提供免费的Peer Support项目长达17年之久。仅在2024年，Good Grief就向来自新泽西州16个郡县的400多个家庭的近千名个人提供了支持服务。Summit当地华人社团一直以来都积极组织各种形式的活动助力Good Grief的募款工作并扩大其影响力。这种持续的社区参与不仅让更多居民了解Good Grief的服务内容，也切实帮助到有需要的家庭获得宝贵支持。

本次音乐会圆满成功，特别鸣谢以下单位：Summit Chinese American Association（Summit华人协会）；音乐会制作方Paulus Hook Music Foundation；协办方Millburn Chinese American Association (蜜尔本华人协会) 与 Basking Ridge Chinese American Association ( Basking Ridge华人协会)；音乐会赞助单位：Beyond Young LLP、Sofun Summit LLC；鲜花赞助单位Hexacres Floral Studio。

现场观众留下了积极的反馈：

—-“这是一场关于爱与治愈的音乐会，每一位上台发言的大小朋友，那些真诚的话语，让我看到坚韧和希望。他们失去至亲的痛楚，是刻骨铭心的，难以形容的，也永远无法忘却的。感谢Good Grief，给这些家庭提供了精神上的帮助和安全的空间，让他们在最困难的时候，也知道自己不是一个人在挣扎，永远有人默默在他们身旁，做最坚强的臂膀和后盾。”

—-“I had the pleasure of attending the Echo of Love concert this past weekend, and I must say it was a truly memorable experience. The event was incredibly well organized, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved. The performances were nothing short of amazing—each piece brought a unique energy and emotion to the stage. What touched me most were the personal stories of good grief families shared throughout the evening; they were deeply moving and added a powerful layer of meaning to the event. Overall, it was a beautiful reminder of the impact that music and community can have when brought together for a worthy cause.”

—-“感谢组织者以音乐连接情感；在这一夜，我们因旋律相聚，为爱共鸣。感谢所有台前幕后的志愿者与组织者，是你们的付出成就了这一场饱含情义的盛会。我希望和在场的每位观众一起，为Good Grief的家庭送上拥抱与支持。”

全体演员以及志愿者工作人员名单

音乐会制作人/大提琴演奏家/歌手(Producer/Cellist/Singer): Qianci Liu

钢琴家 (Piano): Ying Li，Sherry Li, Lang Yu

打击乐演奏家：Yi Ru

指挥：Rebecca Shen, Chenchen Li

小提琴手 (Violin): Yeshuang Ella Chen, An-Ru Song, Olivia Hoang, Alex Wu, Isabella Kim, Vincent Song, Warren Li, Jasper Huang

大提琴手 (Cello): Yuming Yang, Yuchen Yang, Kenny Wu, Charles Fong, Sophia Li, Vienna Hoang, Kevin Li, Zixuan Jiang, Alice Qian, Audrey Hong, Jasmine Feng, William Tong, Pan Ding, Kerry Li, Sophie Zhu, Ivy Chen, Hannah Hu, Allison Zhou

竖琴手 (Harp): Elaine Fong

打击乐手 (Percussion): Lucas Wang, Victor Wang, Laura Chen, Olivia Zhang, Quinton Pan, Alvin Zhang, Ruby Wang, Eric Kulkarni

低音提琴手 (Bass): Sophie Bohner, Gavin Lowenberger

Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus： (星韵童声合唱团成员): Isabel Shen, Jayce Luo, Doris Chen, Warren Li, Melody Chen, Vivian Zuo, Iris Wang, Ella Chai, Gabriel Au

Xinsheng Chinese Choir: Lyra Chen, Leo Lee, Xinyu Han, Ruyi Zhang, Qiyang Li, Jennifer Zhou,Luyu Lei, Wenqi Wang, Zhenyi Yang

芭蕾舞演员 (Dancers): Kerry Li, Olivia Huang

志愿者名单：Xia Wang, Fengli Zhao, Huajing Xing, Shuming, Jiaying Zhang, Luke Cain,Liang Gao, Ke Li, Matthew Kristoff, ,Joy, Leo, Jessica

现场音响志愿者：Renbo Huang

照相志愿者：Chenfei Gao

“Echo of Love” Concert Warms Hearts in Summit

SUMMIT, NJ – May 24, 2025 – On the evening of May 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM, a moving music gala, the “Echo of Love” Charity Concert, unfolded at Summit’s Central Presbyterian Church. Organized by the Summit Chinese American Association, this event showcased the community’s selfless generosity and remarkable artistic talent. All ticket proceeds were proudly donated to Good Grief, a New Jersey non-profit dedicated to continuously supporting children and families navigating the profound loss of loved ones.

The concert stage sparkled with an array of world-class musicians and rising young talents. The program featured a rich and diverse repertoire, with every piece, from classical movements to modern classics, proving captivating. A particularly poignant segment of the evening invited families from Good Grief to share their personal stories and heartfelt poems. As music and narration intertwined, and sentiments of love and remembrance flowed, the audience was visibly moved.

The Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Rebecca Shen, opened the concert with the pure and innocent “I Love You, Mom.” Their tender yet emotional young voices instantly awakened deep feelings of love and longing in every audience member. Following this, violinist Yeshuang Chen, cellist Qianci Liu, pianist Sherry Li, and percussionist Yi Ru collaboratively performed Bach’s timeless “Ave Maria,” its flowing melody a warm current gently comforting hearts.

World-renowned pianist Ying Li then graced the stage, showcasing her exquisite artistry with solo works such as Chopin’s “Nocturne in C minor” and Liszt’s “Rigoletto,” drawing the audience into a realm of deep reflection and emotion. Additionally, cellist Qianci Liu partnered with Ying Li for Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise,” and later joined violinist Yeshuang Chen to present “Secret Garden’s” evocative “Sometimes When It Rains” and “Serenade to Spring.” Young harpist Elaine Fong and young cellist Sophia Li performed Massenet’s “Méditation,” its beautiful melody resonating gracefully throughout the church, cultivating a serene and healing atmosphere.

Outstanding young musicians from the Qianci Youth String Orchestra, White Plains Starworks Music Studios, Long Island Yi Ru Youth Percussion Ensemble, Long Island Tutti Music & Arts, and the SHS Good Grief Club infused new vibrancy into popular classics through dynamic instrumental and percussion ensembles, including “Over the Rainbow.” A standout moment was the deeply emotional performance of “Stand by Me,” profoundly led by brothers Yuming Yang and Yuchen Yang, cellists from a Good Grief family, in a heartfelt tribute to their late father. This powerful and commemorative rendition moved every person in the audience. Towards the concert’s close, the Xinsheng Chinese Choirfrom New York, directed by Chenchen Li, performed the soul-stirring songs “What the World’s Given Me” and “Forget Sorrows When Flowers Bloom.” Young ballet dancers Kerry Li and Olivia Huang added visual grace, dancing alongside the choir and presenting flowers to the Good Grief family members.

The evening’s most impactful moments arose as several volunteer readers shared authentic stories and moving poems from Good Grief families. Young volunteer Ella Chai, with her clear voice, read “Ode to Honey Bear,” a poem from a 13-year-old girl whose life ended too soon; its pure yet resilient emotion was deeply touching. Volunteer Tony then passionately recited a poem penned by a Good Grief family in memory of their baby, Luke Jaxon, who passed away at just 13 months old. That profound love and remembrance, transcending life and death, resonated deeply in the simple words. Volunteers Sherry and Lixia shared true narratives from Good Grief families, recounting how they gradually found strength from the grief of losing loved ones and actively contributed back to the community. Good Grief member Sam personally shared how his family moved past their sorrow by participating in Good Grief’s activities after losing their child, moving many in the audience to tears. These sincere shares profoundly illustrated Good Grief’s core mission: to help people grow stronger after experiencing loss and thrive in adversity.

This significant concert was a collaborative effort, with the Summit Chinese American Association joining forces with the Millburn Chinese American Association and the Basking Ridge Chinese American Association to amplify the promotion of both Good Grief and the charity concert. Distinguished guests, including Millburn Mayor Annette Romano, Millburn Chinese American Association President Jeslyn Li, renowned entrepreneurs Ms. Bi Qian, Mr. Chen Dong, and Mr. Wang Chao, also attended. Their presence actively demonstrated their firm support for public welfare and community mutual aid, adding significant prestige to the event. Jia Song, President of the Summit Chinese American Association, concluded the concert by stating, “Echo of Love is not just a concert; it’s a spiritual embrace, an echo of love. May this warm power continue to resonate among people, transcending pain and fostering hope.”

Founded in New Jersey in 2004, Good Grief consistently dedicates itself to helping children and families who have lost loved ones build resilience, strengthen family bonds, and empower communities. Since Good Grief launched its first “Night of Support” activity at Christ Church in Summit in 2007, as of 2024, its two support centers in Morristown and Princeton have provided free Peer Support programs to grieving families in New Jersey for 17 years. In 2024 alone, Good Grief provided support services to nearly a thousand individuals from over 400 families across 16 New Jersey counties. Local Chinese community groups in Summit have consistently organized various activities to aid Good Grief’s fundraising efforts and expand its influence. This continuous community participation not only educates more residents about Good Grief’s vital services but also genuinely helps families in need receive invaluable support.

The resounding success of this concert is a testament to the invaluable contributions of the Summit Chinese American Association; concert producer Paulus Hook Music Foundation; co-organizers Millburn Chinese American Association and Basking Ridge Chinese American Association; concert sponsors Beyond Young LLP and Sofun Summit LLC; and flower sponsor Hexacres Floral Studio.

Audience members shared overwhelmingly positive feedback:

“This was a concert about love and healing. Every adult and child who spoke on stage, their sincere words, showed me resilience and hope. The pain of losing loved ones is deeply ingrained, indescribable, and can never be forgotten. Thank you, Good Grief, for providing these families with spiritual help and a safe space, letting them know that in their most difficult times, they aren’t struggling alone, and there will always be someone silently by their side, acting as the strongest arm and support.”

“Thank you to the organizers for connecting emotions through music; on this night, we gathered for melody and resonated for love. Thank you to all the volunteers and organizers, both on and off stage, whose efforts made this meaningful event possible. I hope that along with every audience member present, we can offer hugs and support to the Good Grief families.”

Full List of Performers and Volunteer Staff

Concert Producer/Cellist/Singer: Qianci Liu Piano: Ying Li, Sherry Li, Lang Yu Percussionist: Yi Ru Conductors:Rebecca Shen, Chenchen Li Violin: Yeshuang Ella Chen, An-Ru Song, Olivia Hoang, Alex Wu, Isabella Kim, Vincent Song, Warren Li, Jasper Huang Cello: Yuming Yang, Yuchen Yang, Kenny Wu, Charles Fong, Sophia Li, Vienna Hoang, Kevin Li, Zixuan Jiang, Alice Qian, Audrey Hong, Jasmine Feng, William Tong, Pan Ding, Kerry Li, Sophie Zhu, Ivy Chen, Hannah Hu, Allison Zhou Harp: Elaine Fong Percussion: Lucas Wang, Victor Wang, Laura Chen, Olivia Zhang, Quinton Pan, Alvin Zhang, Ruby Wang, Eric Kulkarni Bass: Sophie Bohner, Gavin Lowenberger Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus: Isabel Shen, Jayce Luo, Doris Chen, Warren Li, Melody Chen, Vivian Zuo, Iris Wang, Ella Chai, Gabriel Au

Xinsheng Chinese Choir: Lyra Chen, Leo Lee, Xinyu Han, Ruyi Zhang, Qiyang Li, Jennifer Zhou, Luyu Lei, Wenqi Wang, Zhenyi Yang Dancers: Kerry Li, Olivia Huang Volunteers: Xia Wang, Fengli Zhao, Huajing Xing, Shuming, Jiaying Zhang, Luke Cain, Liang Gao, Ke Li, Matthew Kristoff, Joy, Leo, Jessica On-site Sound Volunteer: Renbo Huang Photography Volunteer: Chenfei Gao

Charity Concert for Good Grief