“Tied to the Harmonica: Two Decades”
At 31, I’ve just wrapped up the very first solo concert of my life.
From the very beginning of planning this concert, I knew I didn’t want it to be a typical harmonica recital. I didn’t want the focus to be solely on playing the instrument. Instead, I wanted to share stories—about the people, places, and turning points that shaped my journey, and the thoughts and reasons that kept me rooted in the harmonica world all these years.
Throughout the concert, I spent a good amount of time talking, and picked a few meaningful songs that represented different periods of my life. None of them were technically difficult, but each held a special place in my heart. I feel incredibly lucky to finally have the opportunity to try something like this—and I’m quite sure it won’t be the last time.
Preparing for this concert was no small task. From recording custom accompaniment tracks and mixing audio, to digging through a sea of old photos to find moments worth remembering—every step felt like reliving the past 20 years. It was also a way to reflect: to ask myself if the choices I made, the things I’ve pursued, have started to bear fruit.
Huge thanks to The HummingWay Harmonica Ensemble and An Afternoon with Harmonica for organising this concert with such care. Planning a show in a short time frame is already tough, let alone while juggling other events like the Taiwan Harmonica Music Festival, Seoul Harmonica Festival, and Huaxia Harmonica Festival—each of which kept harmonica teachers and students constantly on the move. Your help made this happen.
After the concert, a question lingers in my heart:
Twenty years from now, will the thing you love still be tied to you?
—
🎥 Filming & Photography｜Sara
🔊 Sound Engineering｜The Hummingway Harmonica Ensemble
🎤 Charming Host｜Chloe
