Harmonies of Heritage: The Angel Island Echoes With Charlton Lee

Join Dr. Stephanie J. Wong on the "Color of Success Podcast" as she hosts Charlton Lee, the founding violist of the Del Sol Quartet. With over three decades of reshaping the contemporary string quartet landscape, Charlton has premiered works by notable composers at prestigious venues worldwide. In this episode, he dives into the transformative Angel Island project and the powerful union of music and language in expressing cultural history and healing. This episode explores not just Charlton’s artistic journey but also the broader narrative of Asian-American resilience and identity.

Guest Bio: Charlton Lee, founding violist of the Del Sol Quartet, has been a pivotal figure in the evolution of the contemporary string quartet for over thirty years. His work includes premiering hundreds of new compositions across global stages and leading significant commissions from composers like Terry Riley and Huang Ruo. Beyond performance, Charlton's dedication extends to education, influencing aspiring musicians through diverse initiatives from school programs to rural residencies. With degrees in Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Music, his unique insights have enriched both the scientific and musical communities, highlighted by his publications in Physics Review Letters and Strings Magazine, and a TEDx talk on just intonation.

Show Notes:

• Host: Dr. Stephanie J. Wong
• Topics Covered:
  • The origins and impacts of the Angel Island project.
  • The synergy between music, language, and cultural expressions.
  • Historical and modern contexts of Asian-American discrimination.
  • The role of art in healing and community engagement.
  • The upcoming "Songs of the Diaspora" project, showcasing diverse immigrant stories through music and poetry.
• Resources:
  • Charlton's TEDx talk on just intonation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmV-mIxmpvQ
  • Del Sol Quartet's website for music samples and project updates: https://www.delsolquartet.com/
  • Listen to the Sounds Current Podcast for more insights into the Angel Island project: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sounds-current/id1744176966
• Book Mentioned: "Cancel the Filter: Realities of a Psychologist, Podcaster, and Working Mother of Color" by Dr. Stephanie J. Wong, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960299239?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3VH87AO6WEDGWPNR6N7R