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#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Weiyi Zhang

Weiyi Zhang was born in China and is an actor. Her education involved stints at several boarding schools, beginning when she was five years old. Weiyi later studied at the University of Iowa. While in Our Town, she was in the cast of productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s A Christmas Carol, […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Susie Yang

Susie Yang is the associate principal cello, Richard Hill chair, Kansas City Symphony. She has been with the Symphony since 2010. Susie is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. When she was 11, she made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her teachers have included Andre Emelianoff and Laurence Lesser. Susie earned degrees […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Leyou Wang

Leyou Wang, who hails from Beijing, China, is a student at the UMKC Conservatory. He is a composer of concert music and music for films and games. Leyou’s work has received recognition at international composition competitions in The United States, China, and Germany. The Kansas State University Faculty Brass Trio performed his Mushroom March on […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Kwan Leung Ling

Kwan Leung Ling, who is from Hong Kong, is a student at the UMKC Conservatory. He is a composer and plays the suona, which is a traditional Chinese wind instrument. At the end of this month, his new composition, Snowflower, will have its premiere in Hong Kong. The piece will be performed by Wai Him […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAXER: Kuok-Wai Lio

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Pianist Kuok-Wai Lio is a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant administered by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Career Advancement Award given by the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, and a Scholarship award by the Feltsman Piano Foundation. Kuok-Wai Lio is a student at […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Karen Lisondra

Karen Lisondra is the associate director of Peter Pan and Wendy at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She is the fourth child of Filipino immigrants who settled in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1973. During her childhood, Karen performed with Sinag-Tala, the Filipino dance troupe based in Kansas City. She studied anthropological theater and martial arts in […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: Sinag-Tala Performing Arts Troupe

Members of the Sinag-Tala Performing Arts Troupe function as the cultural ambassadors of the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City. The Filipino Association was founded in 1968, and the Sinag-Tala in 1972. Dr. Lillian G. Pardo said, “As a co-founder and current executive director of the Sinag-Tala, the promotion and preservation of our rich cultural […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: Chinese Club and Lion Dance Team at Rockhurst High School

“As a Mandarin Chinese teacher and Lion Dance Team moderator, I have observed how Rockhurst High School students developed their learning interests from studying a hard language in the classroom to undertaking the physical challenge of traditional Chinese lion dance,” said Jackie Shao, who is also the Chinese Club moderator. For more than a decade, […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: The National Association of Asian American Professionals – Kansas City

The National Association of Asian American Professionals was started in New York City in 1982. The Kansas City chapter was founded by Cynthia Fung, Joel Ma, and Anita Ranhotra in 2010. The non-profit, all-volunteer organization promotes the career advancement and leadership development of Asian American professionals in all fields. The theme for 2023 is “Together, […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: Fountain of Life

Fountain of Life was founded in 2022 by Jennifer Tung Alexander, Cher-Yee Lye, and Rebecca Tsang. The organization strives to meet the health and wellness needs of Asian elders. It offers a variety of programs, including Matinee Movie Club, Asian art classes, Plaza Dancing, and events, such as field trips, Hot Pot socials, and the […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City

In 1968, the Filipino Association of Greater Kansas City was founded by Dr. Edilberto Lorenzo, Dr. Manuel Pardo, Dr. Arnulfo Sulit, and William R. Ick to preserve, promote, and enhance Filipino culture through education and cultural arts, and to provide service to the community at large through its projects and programs. The Association supports the […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: Asian American Chamber of Commerce

The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City was founded in 1998 by Young Sexton and Joseph Melookaran. The mission of the non profit is to, “enhance the economic opportunities for Asian American businesses through education, networking, and advocacy while promoting community engagement and visibility.” As John Thong, president, stated, “The past few years […]

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Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball –  Benefactor Party

The Benefactor Party for the Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball was held at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on March 28th. The Ball was held on April 1st at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Drs. Karla and Ivan Batlle were the Ball honorary chairmen, with Edie Downing and Juliette Singer […]

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Life Unlimited – Unlimited Possibilties

  Life Unlimited’s mission is to support people with developmental disabilities as they experience life with unlimited possibilities. It is the largest service provider for adults with disabilities in the metropolitan area. Life Unlimited was formed by the merger of three previously independent organizations: Immacolata Manor, Concerned Care, and Open Options, (which was once known […]

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Kansas City Ballet Guild – 56th annual Ballet Ball

December 1st will be the evening for the 56th annual Ballet Ball, hosted by the Kansas City Ballet Guild. Susan Lordi Marker and Dennis Marker will be the honorary chairmen. Jo Anne Dondlinger will serve as the Ball chairman, and Cyndi James is the Guild’s incoming president. The event, which will be held at The […]

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Congratulations, Erin & James!

Captain Michael Dalton Patterson, United States Navy, Retired, and Mrs. Patterson of Raleigh, North Carolina, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Leigh Patterson, to James Davis Parkerson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hutton Parkerson of Kansas City, Missouri. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clement James […]

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Crib Note – William Prentice Nachbar

Richard Joseph Nachbar III, who is known as Tripp, received an early birthday present this year. His brother, William Prentice Nachbar, was born on January 4th – three days before Tripp’s very first cakedate! The boys’ parents are Brooke and Richard Nachbar, Jr., of Leawood, Kansas. Grandparents Diana and Brian Willliams and Joni and Richard […]

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Leawood Welcomers

Two events are on the calendar for Leawood Welcomers in the coming weeks. Marcia McCoy, Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center, will address the subject of heart health at the 2023 Spring Hospitality Coffee on May 17th at Leawood City Hall. Kaite Mediatore Stover, Kansas City Public Library, will speak to the Leawood […]

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#AAPI TRAILBLAZING: India Association of Kansas City

The India Association of Kansas City (IAKC), which was founded in 1965, works to foster Indian heritage and build a sense of unity between its community members and those of other Asian and American communities. The organization hosts several annual gatherings, including the India Republic Day, India Fest, India Nite, the New Year Ball, and […]

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Palatable Pursuits – #AAPI TRAILBLAZER: David Bandy

One of my favorite people in Kansas City is David Bandy. If you know Bandy, then you know who I am talking about. He is genuine, funny, cool, thoughtful, a great storyteller, and loves the hell out of his mom. More about that last one later. If you wine and dine in Kansas City, then […]

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Art Scene – #AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Allan Chow

Need some color? Explore Allan Chow and explode the senses with the most delicious palette knife layers of luscious hues and contrasts that invite the soul to jump in and play. Dive into the Flint Hills with the sun, the grass, the fires, the rebirth, the storms – it’s all there. Desire something a bit […]

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