Hillyer's Ju-Yong Ha Invited to Present at Louisiana State University Music Festival

Hillyer College Assistant Professor of Music Ju-Yong Ha was recently invited for a residency at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, for Han & Heung Festival: Exploring the African-American and Korean Diasporas Through Music. Han expresses the emotions of grief and resentment, while Heung evokes feelings of exhilaration and utmost joy. The festival explored the stories of resilience and optimism of the two cultures in today’s complex global society.

Ha lectured on “Korean Traditional Music: Aesthetics and Cultural Expression of Han & Heung,” and participated in a panel discussion with Maxine Crump and Terrance McKnight who are leading voices in African-American contemporary culture, and Lori Latrice Martin a distinguished sociologist. Ha also served as emcee for the festival concert. One of the highlights of the concert was a performance by Doreen Ketchens, known as the “Clarinet Queen” and “Lady Louis,” who studied at The Hartt School in the 1980s.