An elegant evening at Hephzibah House celebrated international talent, cultural harmony, and the beauty of live performance.
New York, NY – October 10, 2025 – EastWest Artistry NYC hosted a memorable Classical Salon at Hephzibah House NYC, a historic brownstone on the Upper West Side. The event brought together an enthusiastic and diverse audience from both Eastern and Western communities for an evening of world-class music and cultural exchange.
The concert’s highlight was pianist Manqing Bian, who captivated listeners with a breathtaking performance of Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor. Her interpretation revealed remarkable control, emotional depth, and artistry, earning prolonged applause and admiration from the audience.
Soprano Lena Wu, founder of EastWest Artistry NYC, delivered two brilliant operatic selections: Puccini’s “Mi chiamano Mimì” from La Bohème and Verdi’s “Sempre libera” from La Traviata. Wu’s performance showcased her radiant tone, dynamic range, and her signature East-West interpretive style, weaving Italian passion with refined lyrical sensitivity.
The evening also featured cellist Doris Li, whose performance of Bach was distinguished by elegance and spiritual clarity; baritone Chisom James Maduakor, who brought power and warmth to his expressive rendition of Handel’s works; and Croatian soprano Jelena Stefanic, who concluded the salon with a sparkling and vivacious performance of Franz Lehár’s “Mein Lippen, sie küssen so heiß,” leaving the audience in high spirits.
The salon embodied EastWest Artistry NYC’s mission to create meaningful artistic encounters that unite cultures, genres, and generations. By curating monthly events across New York City, the nonprofit organization continues to provide a platform for international artists and foster genuine human connection through the universal language of music. For upcoming salon events, artist features, and partnership opportunities, visit https://www.eastwestartistrynyc.org or follow @EastWestArtistryNYC on social media.
