US-China Music Institute of Bard College Conservatory of Music

09/11/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐬-𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐊𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐧 takes on the role of Robert McNamara, the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War, in 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙛𝙩. A key figure in America’s escalation in Vietnam, McNamara’s presence in the opera brings the political history of the war into dialogue with its deeply human consequences.

Hailed by The New York Times for his “stentorian bass-baritone” and “dark and steely voice,” Daniel Klein has built a repertoire spanning contemporary opera and classic works. The Rift also reunites him with composer Huang Ruo, following his Seattle Opera debut in Huang’s Bound in 2023.

Experience 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙛𝙩, a chamber opera in one act by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang, at the 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026 · 7:30 PM
📍 Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
🎟️ Ticket link: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/10/02/Chasing-Dreams-Bard-EastWest-Ensemble-and-China-Now-Chamber-Orchestra-0730PM

09/09/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Standing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Edward reflects on stepping into the role of veteran Grady Mitchell and on how the story resonates with his own family’s history.

Hear Edward Graves bring that perspective to the stage at the 9th annual China Now Music Festival in 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙄𝙁𝙏: 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖 𝙞𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙩 (𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣), by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026 · 7:30 PM
📍 Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
🎟️ Ticket link: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/10/02/Chasing-Dreams-Bard-EastWest-Ensemble-and-China-Now-Chamber-Orchestra-0730PM

09/03/2026

Meet Karen Vuong, soprano, who takes on the role of Maya Lin in The Rift, a chamber opera in one act by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang.

At just 21 years old, Yale architecture student Maya Lin won the national competition to design the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Her strikingly simple design soon became the center of a national controversy, with debates surrounding her age, gender, and Chinese American identity.

In The Rift, Karen Vuong brings Maya Lin to the stage as she navigates the conflict surrounding her vision and questions of memory, identity, and how a nation remembers its past.

Experience The Rift at the Opening Concert of the 9th Annual China Now Music Festival, alongside the Bard East/West Ensemble and China Now Chamber Orchestra.

📅 Friday, October 2, 2026 · 7:30 PM
📍 Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/10/02/Chasing-Dreams-Bard-EastWest-Ensemble-and-China-Now-Chamber-Orchestra-0730PM
✨ Use code [CDS57514] for 25% off through 9/7.

09/01/2026

✨Meet the soloists who will be performing in The Rift, a chamber opera in one act by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang. ✨

The Rift tells the unforgettable story behind Maya Lin's design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It is a history of resilience and creativity that connects all of us.

- Karen Vuong (soprano) as the 21-year-old Yale architecture student, Maya Lin
- Michelle Mariposa (mezzo-soprano‍) as a widow, Phuong Tran
- Edward Graves (tenor) as a veteran, Grady Mitchell
- Daniel Klein (baritone) as the Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara

China Now Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jindong Cai, will perform alongside the four soloists.

Don't miss the Opening Concert of the 9th Annual China Now Music Festival!
Early Bird Discount expires Next Week! Get Tickets Now!

🗓 Friday, October 2, 2026 · 7:30 PM
📍 Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/10/02/Chasing-Dreams-Bard-EastWest-Ensemble-and-China-Now-Chamber-Orchestra-0730PM

Use code【CDS57514】for 25% off through 9/7.

09/01/2026

Welcome back to campus! 🍂✨

A warm welcome to all our new and returning students as we begin a new academic year. We’re so excited to have you here and can’t wait to see all the music, learning, and memories to come.

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead! 🎶

09/01/2026

✨ Welcome Zhuzhu Xiang to Bard’s MA in Chinese Music and Culture program!

Rooted in her love for the guzheng, Zhuzhu shares a few thoughts on Chinese philosophy and music, and performs the timeless classic The Fisherman’s Song at Dusk 《渔舟唱晚》. 🎶

Welcome to Bard, Zhuzhu! We’re so happy to have you here. 💛

08/28/2026

Welcome our new transfer undergraduate student, Xiaoya Ni! 🎉

This spring’s GUZHENG TIANXIA Conference is still fresh in our minds, and we’re so excited to welcome another guzheng player to the USCMI family!

We hope you enjoy your time at Bard, Xiaoya. Welcome! ❤️

08/27/2026

Yes! It's official now!

Ninth Annual China Now Music Festival, "Chasing Dreams," October 2–11, 2026:
Concerts and Discussions Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Fisher Center at Bard Bard College, Tempo Performing Arts Center, and Asia Society New York

The US–China Music Institute at Bard College Conservatory announces the launch of the ninth annual China Now Music Festival, taking place in New York City, Kingston, and at Bard College from October 2–11, 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America and the evolution of the American Dream.

08/27/2026

Welcome our new undergraduate student, Lewanna Le, who’s joining us from Oakland, California! 🎉

There’s always room for more erhu at Bard! Often referred to as the “Chinese violin,” the erhu is a beautiful two-stringed instrument with a uniquely expressive sound. Welcome to the USCMI family, Lewanna! ❤️

08/26/2026

Welcome our newest undergraduate p**a student, Christine Zhang! ✨ Here, she performs two excerpts from two of her favorite pieces: Dance of the Yi People and Swan. We’re so excited to welcome Christine to the Bard USCMI family!

**a