As the academic year races to an end, so too does the Asian Student Alliance’s (ASA’s) schedule of events. However, before the 2022-2023 E-Board took their final bow, they hosted the Alliance’s biggest event of the year – “eXpresions.”
eXpressions is a yearly ASA tradition where members of the APIDA community at DU can showcase their talents in the performing arts to a theater full of their peers. This year’s performances featured a host of multi-talented Asian community members, as well as a professionally-performed final act.
Grace Clark gave the first performance of the night. The DU alumnus and bluegrass performer sang and played two original songs, one of which was written by a friend. The slow, emotionally moving music brought plenty of passion to the stage early in the night.
Clarke was followed by the musical trio Kimaja, comprised of former ASA President Jade Keomanivong on vocals, Marston Garber on saxophone and bass and Kieran Arnold on guitar. Their performance concluded with a rendition of “Bésame Mucho,” a song with lyrics that are entirely in Spanish. As expressed by ASA Faculty Advisor and eXpressions co-MC Dong Dinh, the performance of this song highlighted the intercultural nature of the event.
After Kimaja’s set came Aryana Yusufi, who gave a solo vocal performance of Norah Jones’s “Don’t Know Why.” Yusufi dazzled the audience with this initial performance, but it would not be the last time she found herself in the spotlight during the event.
Leading the charge with the first dance performance of the night was Kevin Huynh. Huynh’s choreography could only be described as unlike any other in the entire eXpressions show. Leaning into a theme of sensuality and incorporating a segment of heavy audience interaction, Huynh’s expressive dance performance held the attention of the entire theater in a vice-like grip.
Afterward, musical duo Janelyn Geronimo and Ynosh Ilagan–otherwise known as “The Feelohs”–took to the stage. The pair drew from their connection to their Filipino identities and performed “Pasilyo,” a Tagalog song by Filipino band Sunkissed Lola. The song follows the thoughts and emotions of a lover as they walk down a “pasilyo,” or walkway to a wedding altar.
With a shift of genre, Yudai Leonzon delivered a striking violin performance. He was joined onstage by Mio Yamauchi, who provided a piano accompaniment to the piece. Leonzon and Yamauchi enraptured the audience with what would be one of only two purely instrumental musical performances showcased in the event.
T’Naisha Cox and Cindy Liang brought back the modern vibes with their hip-hop dance routine. The energetic choreography was set to “SHOOTING STAR,” a song originally performed by South-Korean girl group XG.
Next, Aryana Yusufi returned to the stage, now accompanied by Kai Soto on the piano. Showing the range of talents present in ASA’s members, Yusufi now gave a flute rendition of “One Summer’s Day” by Joe Hisashi. The piece was made famous by its appearance in the Studio Ghibli film “Spirited Away.”
T’Naisha Cox returned soon after her previous performance alongside current ASA President Suhyun Goh. Performing together as “T’hyun,” the pair sang a smooth duet of the Korean song “Maria,” originally performed by South-Korean singer and MAMAMOO member Hwasa. Like several other performers at the event, Goh, who spent five years of her life in South Korea, harkened back to her roots with her performance.
Cindy Liang returned for yet another dance performance. This time, however, she was performing alone. She performed yet another energizing hip-hop choreography, this time to Ariana Grande’s “Bloodline.”
Suhyun Goh gave another vocal performance soon after. This song featured a piano accompaniment from Daniel Ha, a former ASA E-Board member. Together, the two delivered a slow, sweet rendition of “City of Stars” from the hit film “La La Land.”
The final musical performance of the eXpressions talent showcase came from Jasmin Storer. Storer gave a vocal performance of the popular 2000’s Beyoncé song “Halo.” She was joined onstage by Mio Yamauchi, who provided the final piano accompaniment of the night.
Charlie Khunsombat followed, delivering the last DU student performance and the penultimate performance of the event. Khunsombat rounded out the night with a solo dance routine. With fast-paced moves and a strong stage presence, Khunsombat’s routine gave a strong finish to the night’s student performances.
The grand finale of the eXpressions event was performed by the Royals Dance Team. The Royals Dance Team is a crew based out of Colorado and specializes in performances at APIDA and BIPOC events. The team has a reputation for their stunning performances at Denver-area events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, and their performance at eXpressions was no different. The choreography blended the modern and the traditional, with powerful hip-hop moves seamlessly incorporated with fluid, coordinated fan dancing.
The night’s performances were complete, but the eXpressions event was not yet finished. After thanking and giving out gift bags to each of the night’s performers, ASA’s leadership invited all graduating ASA members, including past E-Board members, to the stage. There, they received well-earned recognition for their achievements as well as their graduation cords.
However, these soon-to-be graduates were not the only ones facing a change that night. ASA’s E-Board remained on stage and gave thanks to each other and the community for their support. As the curtains close on this Spring Quarter, ASA turns to a new generation of leaders. If the high attendance and rapturous applause of this year’s eXpressions audience are to provide any accurate indication, then these leaders are bound to inherit a strong, vibrant community come this fall.
For more information about ASA and upcoming events, check out the alliance’s Crimson Connect and Instagram pages.
