What is MUSIC CANVAS?
MUSIC CANVAS is a groundbreaking and immersive concert series presented by the Cadence Collective Foundation that redefines the classical music experience. This unique series aims to transcend the traditional concert format by blending exceptional music with engaging storytelling and thematic exploration.
At MUSIC CANVAS, the invited performers will be given a certain theme. They will carefully select pieces that resonate with the theme, divide them into chapters, and provide insightful and thought-provoking introductions before each chapter. This whole process is like drawing a musical picture on a black canvas, thus the name "MUSIC CANVAS".
To enhance your experience, the performance offers historical context, composer backgrounds, and fun facts that you might not know about a certain piece. These introductions are designed to enrich your understanding and deepen your appreciation of the music being performed.
By combining world-class performances with educational elements and dynamic presentation, MUSIC CANVAS transforms each concert into a vibrant, interactive experience. This format encourages active engagement with the music, creating an atmosphere where listeners feel like they are part of the story being told. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or new to the genre, each concert offers a fresh perspective that brings classical music to life in exciting and unexpected ways.
What makes it different from traditional classical concerts?
Unlike a traditional classical concert, MUSIC CANVAS: Themed Concert Series is designed with two unique features:
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Theme-Based Programming: Each concert revolves around a specific theme designated by CCF, such as "The Language of Love," "Transformation," or "Dance on Instruments." These themes serve as a canvas for the musicians, who select pieces that reflect the theme and craft a unique musical narrative, creating a concert experience that is both fun and substantial, as well as educational.
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Concerts with chapters: Each concert is divided into different chapters, with performers introducing each chapter to share why they chose the pieces related to the theme and providing interesting or essential information about them. This format encourages audiences to engage more deeply with the music and understand its broader cultural context.
The first theme:
Music Around the World
Music Around the World is the inaugural theme of MUSIC CANVAS: Themed Concert Series, where each artist is invited to explore what global music means to them—across cultures, emotions, and time.
“Music Around the World is more than just a performance; it’s an invitation to explore, to feel, to connect, and to leave the concert with a sense of joy, eager to hear more classical music.”
— Audience reflection after the premiere concert
🎹 Music Around the World, Piano Solo Recital
Featuring pianist Hanbo Ma
October 19, 2024 · Pasadena, California
The project launched with a vibrant solo recital by pianist and Artistic Director Dr. Hanbo Ma, who curated a global program inspired by the question: What does “music around the world” mean to me?
Her selections—works from Italy, Norway, China, Spain, and the United States—were woven into a colorful, cross-cultural journey that embraced both emotional storytelling and musical depth.
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🎹 Music Around the World: The French Chapter
Featuring Hanbo Ma & Yuhan Yeh, Piano Duo
June - July, 2025 · Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an, China
The second project in the series expanded the theme through collaboration, with pianists Hanbo Ma and Yuhan Yehjoining forces to present a piano duo recital entirely dedicated to the elegance and wit of French music.
The French Chapter highlighted three beloved composers—Francis Poulenc, Claude Debussy, and Camille Saint-Saëns—whose works embody the colorful textures, humor, and emotional nuance of French repertoire. From Poulenc’s mischievous charm to Debussy’s impressionistic soundscapes, the program offered both variety and cohesion, painting a portrait of France that was as spirited as it was sublime.
Presented at the Horowitz Recital Hall by Steinway & Sons, this performance not only carried MUSIC CANVAS beyond its U.S. roots—it also underscored the project’s international vision: to connect hearts through music, wherever the concert takes place.
Meet the Artists
Meet pianists Hanbo Ma and Yuhan Yeh as they introduce their upcoming China tour and share the story behind this French-inspired program.
5 Questions, 2 Pianists
Hanbo and Yuhan answer five quick questions about music, touring, and the joys (and laughs) of playing together.
Want to see what really happens on tour? Follow @cadencecollectivefoundation for artist takeovers, rehearsal moments, and stories from the road: https://www.instagram.com/cadencecollectivefoundation/
The Second Theme:
The Music Time Machine
The Music Time Machine is the newest theme of the MUSIC CANVAS: Themed Concert Series, inviting each artist to imagine traveling to a moment in history—choosing which composer they would meet, what questions they would ask, and how that encounter shapes the music they bring to the stage.
“The Music Time Machine turns a recital into a story. It makes the music feel alive, like we’re stepping into another era with the performer.”
— Audience reflection during early previews
🎹 The Music Time Machine, Piano Solo Recital
Featuring pianist Evan Chen
January 25, 2026 · Pasadena, California
The 2026 season of the MUSIC CANVAS: Themed Concert Series opens with a new concept: The Music Time Machine. This theme invites performers to step into the past, choose the era they wish to visit, and shape a program inspired by the composers they encounter along the way.
To launch the season, pianist Evan Chen of Vancouver, Canada - winner of the San Francisco International Piano Competition, HKGNA International Competition, Vivace International Piano Competition, and others - will present a full solo recital. His recent work includes concerto performances with the Savaria Symphony Orchestra of Hungary and both solo and concerto appearances in Vienna, Austria. For this program, he draws a clear path through musical history, performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, and Scriabin as well as sharing insights of these works.
Meet the Artists
Meet pianist Evan Chen as he greets the audience ahead of his upcoming recital and shares his excitement for performing a program that travels through musical time, featuring works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, and Scriabin.
10 Questions about me
Get to know Evan Chen by watching him answering 10 questions about music, practicing, and everything in life!
(Coming soon)
Want to see what really happens on tour? Follow @cadencecollectivefoundation for artist takeovers, rehearsal moments, and stories from the road: https://www.instagram.com/cadencecollectivefoundation/