Emily Boyajian “Transition” - The Cedar Commissions 2023
"Transition" is a song cycle written by Emily Boyajian, a pianist, composer, and transgender woman living in the Twin Cities. Drawing on texts by the composer and other transgender community members, "Transition" explores the complexities of navigating transition and change, particularly gender transition and finding one's true self in a gendered world. The songs focus on topics such as the mixture of excitement and nervousness from starting a gender transition, dealing with “impostor” syndrome, facing discrimination, building self-confidence, and finding strength in community. Overall, "Transition" portrays trans people as neither monsters nor heroes, but simply people trying to find their personal path to a happy, fulfilling life. This performance features transgender singers, as well as several instrumentalists who are transgender and/or queer.
Collaborators:
Myrtle Lemon Todd - Vocals
Trevor Lemon Todd - Vocals
Ashley Ng - Violin
Leah Meyer - Violin
Joshua Dieringer - Viola
Stephanie Knapper - Cello
Eric Struve - Double Bass
Beth Leska - Flute
Alexis Varghese - Oboe
Alex Hecker - Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
Elizabeth Brophy - Bassoon
Harlie Lane - French Horn
Isaac Mayhew - Trumpet
Learn more about Emily Boyajian: https://bit.ly/ccemilyboyajian
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The Cedar Cultural Center presented the twelfth annual Cedar Commissions, on February 17th and 18th, 2023, featuring new works by Aram Kavoossi, Cydi Yang, DJ Fawzi, Emily Boyajian, Sophia Deutsch, and Theo Langason. The Cedar Commissions is a flagship program for local emerging artists to create and debut brand new music on The Cedar stage, made possible with a grant from the Jerome Foundation. Since the program began in 2011, the Commissions have showcased new work by over 70 Minnesotan emerging composers and musicians, including Dessa, Aby Wolf, Adam Levy, Maria Isa, Joe Horton, Joey Van Phillips, Gao Hong, Dameun Strange, Dua Saleh, and many more.
Learn more about The Cedar Commissions: https://www.thecedar.org/cedar-commis...
The Cedar Commissions is made possible in part by a grant from the Jerome Foundation.