work

cons•tell•ation | 星星 of contemporary wind

This concert is the result of a true partnership that began online during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Across two years, Jennifer Tran and Jialiang Zhu collaborated remotely—blending their artistic strengths and shared vision to celebrate contemporary works by women-identifying composers, and explore themes of identity, heritage, and connection. The concert’s title, cons•tell•ation | 星星 (stars) of contemporary wind, evokes the image of individual voices shining brightly and coming together like stars in a constellation.

Jennifer prepared the program notes and designed the event poster, while Jialiang led production and funding. Their sustained teamwork, marked by countless virtual meetings and creative exchanges, ensured the music and its story reached audiences with care, creativity, and community spirit.

Beyond the performance, this project stands as a testament to their commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering cross-cultural dialogue in the arts. The final concert, held in December 2023 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (Toronto, Canada), was not only a culmination of years of collaboration, but also a celebration of resilience, adaptability, and shared passion that carried the project from a digital beginnings to a live musical experience. Jennifer and Jialiang are deeply grateful to the composers, their mentors, and the community partners who supported this journey.

Performers: Jialiang Zhu (piano), Jennifer Tran (saxophones)