Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Nguyen.
Hi Mike, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The Dallas Asian Winds started through our artistic director and conductor, Jung-Moo Lee. In 2018, I had performed a July 4th gig with the Texas Dixie Land Band, where I got a chance to meet and talk to Jung-Moo more. We’ve played in other ensembles together in the past, but with him being a tubaist and me being a saxophonist, I never really had a chance to talk to him much. After those set of gigs, Jung-Moo approached me with an idea he had about starting a wind ensemble comprised primarily of Asian & Asian-American musicians. I’ve never been in an ensemble like this… or, frankly heard of one like this. I was super excited to jump into this project. So, he gathered a few more friends, and in a few short months, we were able to round up around 60 musicians to perform our first concert– on Lunar New Year in 2019!
We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of support as we rolled along. Friends and family members of the musicians would donate meals. Asian business from throughout the Metroplex would donate to us here and there. The Coppell HS band program has also been super gracious to provide us with a regular venue for rehearsals. The musicians and staff does everything as volunteers, so we try to give back to them by providing them with worthwhile experiences and great meals! Because of this, the ensemble has steadily progress from doing a concert twice a year to doing a full season of 5-6 concerts, inviting phenomenal soloist to perform with the ensemble, and even hosting our first young artist concerto competition this past year.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it has been fairly smooth! The talent level of our musicians make tackling more challenging music possible without to many rehearsals. Everyone enjoy participating that the atmosphere of rehearsals and performance are fun and inviting. We hit a bit of snag, just as everyone did, as we navigate through Covid, but we always knew the ensemble would get out of it stronger.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
This is a unique ensemble, and I’m pretty confident to say it is the only one of its kind in the United States. The wind ensemble is comprised of talented classical musicians. And a majority of these musicians are Asian or Asian-American. In addition, we play some pretty challenging music. Recently, we performed Respighi’s “Pines of Rome”, and we did it in about 4 rehearsals over two weeks. I am always in awe and proud by the level of our musicians!
Even more than the performing aspect, I think I am really proud of the community that has formed in the Dallas Asian Winds. The staff regular takes the musicians’ inputs to improve upon, but the comment we seem to get the most is of everyone enjoying the company and the atmosphere of the ensemble. Many of musicians are music educators who spend all day in the classroom and then join us in the evening for a two-hour rehearsal. We even have one member commuting from Granbury, TX just because he enjoys playing with the ensemble. Because of this atmosphere, we’ve worked hard to cultivate, nothing really feels challenging when you are just having fun. We always provide our musicians with a nice dinner before our concert, and recently we’ve been serving more tradition Asian dishes. People have been a big fan of it!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Personally, I am a big sports fan, so I love the Cowboys, Stars, etc., but I also love the arts scene. I grew up in east Texas, so I would travel to Dallas just to see the Dallas Winds or the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Plus, the food is great– there used to be a fantastic Chinese restaurant off of Munger called Jade Gardens that my family has gone regular to since they immigrated here.
I think the only thing I dislike about the city is how things change at times. Sometimes in the pursuit of growth, they push out beloved staples… such as Jade Gardens!
Contact Info:
- Website: DAWinds.org
- Instagram: @Dallas_asianwinds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077655410352
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dallasasianwinds1734
