Regardless of our culture, country, or background, music remains one of the most powerful tools for storytelling. For millennia, songs have helped us discover who we are and where we came from. Houston artists Summer Haiyan Song and Vanessa Alonzo connect with their Chinese and Mexican heritage in this concert of traditional music. Pianist Teruhiko Toda and guitarist Saul Avalos will accompany the performance.

This program complements Asia Society’s exhibition, The Other Side: Chinese and Mexican Immigration to America. Registered guests are invited to visit early for complimentary admission to the exhibition.

About Summer Haiyan Song

Summer Haiyan Song is an opera singer and professor, and leads the Haiyan Voice Studio in Houston. Her busy career includes performances in the United States, China, England, and beyond. Opera roles include Cio-Cio San in Madame Butterfly, Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte, Manon in Manon, among others.

About Vanessa Alonzo

Vanessa Alonzo began her training with the late Alfonso Guerra at Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA). She has been a featured performer with mariachi ensembles throughout Houston since 1998. In 1999, she was named the Best of Show Vocalist in the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza vocal competition. Vanessa’s notable credits include tours to Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and Vietnam. She has performed in the world premieres of Cruzar La Cara De La Luna and El Pasado Nunca Se Termina— the world’s first Mariachi operas.

Lead series support of Asia Society Presents! is provided by Bank of America. Performing arts and cultural programs at Asia Society Texas Center are made possible through generous support from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, The Clayton Fund, and Mickey Rosenau & Dr. Ellen Gritz, with an additional grant from the Favrot Fund. Funding is also provided from Friends of Performing Arts & Culture at Asia Society Texas Center.

Presenting Sponsor

Program Sponsors