Menagerie Multicultural Ensemble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Menagerie Multicultural Ensemble
 

Menagerie Multicultural Ensemble was founded and managed by Sheng-Hsin Lin in March 2014 on the principles of friendship and musicianship among different countries, cultures, and languages. The ensemble aims to seek new possibilities in unorthodox performance formats. Musicians in the ensemble represent their home countries including China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,United States and Venezuela. Their musical backgrounds are interdisciplinary to encompass fields such as classical performance, jazz, and ethnomusicology. The instrumentation is non-traditional and flexible with the incorporation of the clarinet, pipa, flute, a jazz rhythms section, and world percussion.The mission of Menagerie is to explore multicultural music making in a diverse world. 

Collectively, Menagerie believes that music is the universal language of the world and can bring people together in common expression. Through the process of creating music together, the ensemble is able to create an innovative sound for the world and help unlock the barriers between varying nations, histories, and beliefs. 

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Clarinetist / Sheng-Hsin Lin (Taiwan)

 

Sheng-Hsin Lin is an active performer in varies musical genres and styles. She has performed

in numerous venues in the US and internationally in China, Hong Kong and Mexico. In addition

to prolific performances, Lin is also passionately engaged in arranging music in various genres

and styles, including classical music, jazz, contemporary music, Chinese traditional, folk and

popular music.
 

Lin has served as the member of the Tainan Orchestra, Chi-Mei Symphony Orchestra (Tainan,

Taiwan) and Drew Zaremba’s “the Unity Orchestra” project (Dallas, USA). She was awarded

first place at the Taiwan Arts Cup Competition, the Music Merit Award, the Earl O. Bates

Scholarship, and the Dean’s Scholarship at Indiana University at Bloomington. She also won

the George and Sandy Papich Chamber Music Scholarship, the Marceau C. Myers Memorial

Scholarship, along with Woodwind/Percussion Scholarships. She was the semi-finalist of

Sherman/Barsanti Inspiration Award and the recipient of Toulouse Graduate School Travel

Grant from University of North Texas. 

Lin has involved in several classical and jazz performances and recording projects. She can be heard on thirteen GIA WindWorks and GIA Teaching Music Through Performance in Band recordings (GIA Publication, 2010-1015) and the Music & Words collaboration CD project, Strange Monsters: A Music & Words Collaboration (Easy Brew Studio, 2016).

 

A native of Tainan, Taiwan, Lin received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance from the University of North Texas, where she was awarded the position of Teaching Fellow, a Master of Music in clarinet performance from Indiana University at Bloomington and a B.F. A from National Kaohsiung Normal University in Taiwan.  Her primary teachers include Dr. John Scott and James Campbell. Besides teaching, her recent projects include managing, performing and preparing recording projects with the Menagerie Multicultural Ensemble and Jovian Chamber Project.

Lin's personal website:  http://linmusic.wix.com/linmusic

 

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Pipa / Yuxin Mei (China)
 

Yuxin Mei is a renowned pipa performer and currently a PhD student of Ethnomusicology at UNT and

director of the UNT Chinese Ensemble. She received the prestigious Presser Graduate Music Award in

March 2018. She completed the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Pipa Performance and Education at

the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Xingai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China.

From 2006-2012, she was faculty at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music, and previously she was Artistic

Director and soloist for Zhuhai Chinese Music Chamber Orchestra. 
 

Mei has performed in China, Portugal, Norway, Singapore, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau

and other countries. She has taught masterclasses at the Macau Art School and the Chong Hong Chinese

Music Association in Macau. She was invited to Norway from 2012 to 2016 as part of the cultural exchange

project "Spoor" hosted by The Cultural Rucksack in Akershus. In 1998, Mei released the album Spring

of Zhu Hai.

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Chinese Sheng & Clarinet/ Alexander Strader (USA)

A musician fancying himself an astronomer, Alexander Strader creates new solar

systems of sounds that provides the people of earth experiences that are out of this

world. By peering through his musical telescope and observing different types of 
world music he is able to combine elements from all corners of the globe in his 
playing.

Utilizing his clarinet and bass clarinet Alexander has played for audiences big and

small in solo, chamber music, and large ensemble settings. He has appeared in

festivals such as Music in the Mountains and Cactus Pear as well as performed

with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra. On weekends he plays the clarinet

to deepen worshippers’ liturgical experiences at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in

Richardson, Texas. Additionally, he helps students discover their enthusiasm for
music through teaching in Texas schools within Rockwall and Cleburne ISD. He has
performed and recorded with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony

appearing on the album Taylor Made.

 

Alexander has a deep connection with the Chinese community often forgoing the use of his clarinet in favor of the Sheng: a traditional Chinese mouth organ made of bamboo. Using this instrument he has collaborated with Confucius Institutes in the cities of Dallas and Denver as well as the Hua Yun Chinese Orchestra. Additionally, he and renowned pipa virtuoso Yuxin Mei have enlightened audiences of traditional Chinese music through their playing. 

 

A soon to be master of music from the University of North Texas Alexander’s primary clarinet teachers are Stephen Girko and Dr. John Scott. 

                                                                                         

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Piano/Tanakrit Tongnopnua (Thailand) 
 

Originally from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Tanakrit currently pursuing
a Jazz Studies degree at the University of North Texas. In fall 2018, he

studied abroad at Kungliga musikhögskolan (KMH) in Stockholm, Sweden

where he studied jazz piano with Adam Forkelid. In Summer of 2018, he

presented a jazz workshop at Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University,

Thailand.  Tanakrit also studied classical piano with Thomas Schwan at UNT.  

 

Currently pursuing a Jazz Studies degree at the University of North Texas.

Tanakrit studies jazz piano with Stefan Karlson, Sergio Pamies, and Pat Coil

to name a few. Tanakrit also studies classical piano with Thomas Schwan at

UNT. Tanakrit had led his own projects comprising of current and former UNT

students. The group had performed at venues across Denton. He was also

a member of the 4 O'clock Lab Band directed by drummer Colleen Clark.

The band performed a rigorous repertoire of Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Marie

Schneider, and Chick Webb. Tanakrit was a finalist in the 2018 Thailand

International Jazz Conference.

 

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Bass/ Troy Chun (South Korea)

Born in Daegu, South Korea in 1977, Chun started his proper music education when he reached

his age of 27. Chun has grew up with musical variety in his teenage years and taught himself to play bass.

Chun has a Bachelor degree in French Literature( Kwandong Univ. of Korea 2005). Chun immediately

went into private Jazz institution where Chun was introduced to Jazz music and Doublebass. After a year,

he graduated and worked for Seoul Jazz Academy as a Teaching assistance. Chun has won the first prize

from Incheon Jazz Competition.

 

In 2008 and admitted to enter University of North Texas Jazz Studies Major, studying under Professor

Lynn Seaton. Ever since then Chun has received various scholarship from University of North Texas

College of Music from 2010-2016.

 

Chun is now very active musician in Dallas Fort Worth Area playing with numbers of Musicians with

all styles of music.

 

 

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World Percussion / Nicholas Rothouse (USA)
 

Nicholas Rothouse received his Bachelor Degree in Percussion Performance at

the University of North Texas. While at UNT he was able to play with the Brazilian

Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Drew Zaremba UNITY Orchestra, Jazz Singers,

Latin Jazz Lab Band, and the 7 time Grammy nominated One O’ Clock Lab Band. 

 

Nicholas has performed with artists such as Shaun Martin, Robert “Sput” Searight,

Mark Letteri, Mono Neon, Myron Butler, Tito and Tarantula, RC and the Gritz, Snarky

Puppy, and Bobby Mcferrin. He has recorded with AMP Trio, Sergio Paimes, MAYTA,

The Kwinton Gray Project, Christian Valdes Sextet, UNT Symphonic Band, UNT

Wind Symphony, UNT Latin Jazz Lab Band, the UNT Two O’ Clock Lab Band, the

UNT One O’ Clock Lab Band, and The Toshi Clinch Big Band. 

 

In the summer of 2014, Nicholas toured Europe with his Grandfather’s band,

Tito and Tarantula. He had the opportunity to play in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg,

Switzerland, Bosnia, Serbia, and Kosovo. In May 2016, he toured Australia with the

One O’ Clock Lab Band in Sydney, Melbourne, and Mount Gambier. In May and

June of 2017, he toured around the United States with Shaun Martin. In December

2017-January 2018, he traveled to Ghana and Mali with world renowned

percussionist, Weedie Braimah. While in West Africa, he studied traditional

Ga music from Ghana, and various styles of Djembe music in Mali. 

 

He is currently playing with Shaun Martin, The Kwinton Gray Project, MAYTA, Bandan Koro,

Eton y sus rumberos, JD Beck and Friends, Quentin Moore, and also freelancing with various

bands/artists in the Dallas Metroplex.

 

Miguel Espinel / Chinese Ruan and Venezuelan Cuatro (Venezuela)

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Miguel Espinel is a Venezuelan musician, composer, and ethnomusicologist, currently based

in Denton, TX. He has a MA in Music with a focus on composition from the University of North

Texas, where he is currently enrolled in doctoral studies for ethnomusicology. He has taken part

in UNT's Chinese ensemble, Balinese Gamelan, Nova (new music ensemble), and Brazilian

ensemble for multiple semesters and is part of the free improvisation duo Monte Espina along

with fellow Venezuelan improviser Ernesto Montiel. Espinel's compositions have been performed

in conferences and concerts in Denton, Fort Worth, College Station, Houston, Saint Cloud (MN),

New Brunswick (NJ), Tallahassee (FL), and Eugene (OR).

 

 

Singer/ Li Liu (Taiwan)

Li Liu’s passion for jazz led her from Taiwan to the heart and soul of the music –

the southern United States, the birthplace of jazz. Before moving to the United States,

Li had already crafted a successful career as a jazz vocalist in Taiwan. She performed

in major venues, toured with professional jazz musicians, recorded an album, and

appeared in the TV programs Chinese Million Star and University.

However, in her heart she strove for more. She wanted to explore the roots of the

music she loves, so she left her comfortable life in Taiwan and dove headfirst into the

Texas jazz scene. At the University of North Texas she studied with some of the best

jazz educators in the United States, and she continues to perform in the bustling

music scene of the night clubs and bars of the downtown Dallas. Since moving to

Texas Li has found a passion for singing gospel music in Texas Churches. This

gospel sound has inspired her scat singing and compositions. 
 
Li Liu is a risk-taker when improvising. She regards every solo opportunity as her last chance to express herself. Li has a strong sense of projection and loses herself in the pleasure of sharing music with her audiences. Her latest original Chinese jazz project – Song Dynasty creates a unique sound by fusing playful Chinese lyrics with jazz-rooted compositions. She has toured the east coast of Canada, the United States Pacific North West and Taiwan. She is looking forward to releasing her debut album with Song Dynasty in winter 2018. 

Li has a passion for teaching, and she is always looking to develop her teaching skill. After receiving her master’s degree of Jazz Studies at University of North Texas in 2018 she participated the vocal pedagogy conference LoVetri’s method Somatic Voicework™ at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. She is certified in all three levels. Li is enthusiastic to share her experience and knowledge with all of her students. 
 

Check Li’s website for more information: liliujazz.com 


 

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Sound and Recording Engineer / Daniel Pardo (Colombia)
 

After 10 years of service as a US military musician, Daniel Pardo completed studies in classical

performance (B.M. at Texas State University and M.M. at the University of North Texas), and

also a Master Certificate in Music Production from the Berklee College of Music. Representing

Texas State University, he toured Italy, performed at the White House, was awarded Outstanding

Soloist at the North Texas Jazz Festival, and presented at the International Society for Improvised

Music held in CalArts 2009. In the same year, Daniel presented an educational clinic at the Texas

Music Educators Association convention. Now working on a DMA at the University of North Texas,

Daniel continues to explore the sounds and possibilities of native flutes from different cultures.  

This process started with South American quenas and zampoñas but has continued with the

immersion into Chinese dizi and xiao, Japanese shakuhashi, Irish whistles, Persian nei,

Romanian chromatic pan flute, "Keita" (a new Colombian hybrid between gaita de San Jacinto

and quena) and the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument). As a result of this process, Daniel has

released his debut album Joy to the Other World and leads the world-music group From a Land

Far Away.  In 2012 and 2013, Daniel appeared as soloist with members of the Fort Worth Symphony and East Dallas Christian Church's Chancel Choir featuring his arrangements of Christmas carols under the direction of Keith Critcher. Daniel is also a member of Steve Wiest's Eclectric Band and is co-producer for the Concerto for Folded Space where members of the legendary rock group Chicago and saxophonist Bob Mintzer (Yellowjackets) are featured.

 

Daniel's personal website: http://danielpardomusic.com/

-Former Band Members-
 

Guitar / Marcelo Melo (Brazil)  
                                                                       

Marcelo Melo is a guitarist and composer from Brazil. He began his jazz guitar studies
at Musicians Institute – GIT, California. Since then, he has played and recorded with many 

Brazilian musicians. Marcelo is currently attending the Jazz Studies Program at the

University of North Texas. Since coming to UNT in Fall 2013 he has played with the

Super 400 and the L-5 Jazz Guitar Ensembles. He currently performs with the Six O’Clock

Lab Band.

 

 

  
                                                                                
Piano / Sopon “Jokobo” Suwannakit (Thailand)

 

A current student from the University of North Texas, Sopon “Jokobo” Suwannakit is pursuing

Master of Music in Jazz Studies at the College of Music with merit-based jazz scholarship.

He studies jazz piano with Prof. Stefan Karlsson and classical piano with Assoc. Prof. Gustavo

Romero. Sopon received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies with secondary emphasis in

Classical Performance and Composition (1st class honors) from the Conservatory of Music,

Rangsit University from Thailand, in 2013. He primarily studied jazz piano with Asst. Prof.

Dr. Denny Euprasert; classical piano with Aree Kunapongkul; and music composition with

Boonrut Sirirattanapan. Sopon performed Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1 and Rachmaninoff

Piano Concerto No.2, as a soloist, with Rangsit University Symphony Orchestra in 2010 and

2012 respectively and performed under the baton of Maria Schneider with Rangsit University

Jazz Orchestra in September 2010. In early 2012, he performed the world’s premier performance

of Gandis (a Thai composer) Piano Concerto with Royal Thai Navy Orchestra. For years, Sopon

participated in many music festivals. His classical contemporary work "Conjugation" for viola and

piano was performed in Thailand International Composition Festival 2012 and his large jazz

ensemble piece "Schrödinger" was performed in Shanghai Jazz Education Festival 2012, Thailand International Jazz Conference 2013 and RSU Jazz Orchestra Monday Night Live 2013. His arrangements for double quartet, the combination between jazz quartet and string quartet, were performed in Thailand International Jazz Conference 2012. His combo had opportunities to perform in various international jazz festivals, e.g., the 5th JEN Conference (USA) and the Celebration of Jazz 2013 (Malaysia); and also local jazz festivals, e.g., Hua Hin Jazz Festival, Thailand International Jazz Conference, Bangkok City of Jazz, Sawasdee Jazz Festival. e currently performs with the Three O’Clock Lab Band.  

Jokobo's personal website: http://jokobomusic.com

 

Upright/Electric Bass/Christopher Wright (USA)

 

Christopher Wright began playing bass at age 15, and played in both the All Region and

All State jazz ensembles in his home state of North Carolina. He later received a bachelor's

of music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently working to complete

a Masters degree at the University of North Texas in jazz bass performance. He currently

performs with the Two O’Clock Lab Band and several groups based within Denton.