Congratulations to Northwood High School student, Albert Liu, for being selected to join the 2024 US National Youth Wushu Team. Let's learn more about his growth and dreams.
During the Lantern Festival in 2023, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center proudly premiered the long-awaited original musical "The Monkey King," which had been in development for three years. This work is another stunning production by He Bin, conductor of the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, following "Mulan" (2019).
Mentioning the original musical "The Monkey King," one cannot overlook its performer, Albert Liu. At the age of nine, Albert began learning martial arts, inspired by watching kung fu movies and seeing martial arts students perform during a Chinese New Year event. Deeply attracted, his parents supported him in attending an after-school martial arts school, thus starting his martial arts journey. Besides martial arts, he is also a member of the school’s soccer and lacrosse teams, and he enjoys snowboarding, snorkeling, and fishing. These activities enrich his extracurricular life, sharpen his mind, and enhance his physical strength, endurance, and skills.
As a high school student, Albert balances his busy academic schedule and team training with martial arts training primarily on weekends. His parents’ support and transportation enable him to persist. The biggest challenge in his martial arts training is the physical demands, but his passion for martial arts keeps him going, and he gradually adapts to the high-intensity training under his coach’s guidance. The opportunity to perform in "The Monkey King" came through the recommendation of Principal Zhong, with Mr. Cheng and Mr. Gao Jiawang from the Cultural Center teaching him Tai Chi and Drunken Fist, providing invaluable experience. Despite his lack of experience in his first stage performance, he successfully completed it with the help of his teachers and peers.
Notably, Albert, through his abilities, has been selected as a member of the US National Youth Wushu Team. He has also participated in international competitions and achieved excellent results. He plans to continue representing the United States in international competitions, aiming to win more medals and establish a martial arts fitness club at school to benefit more students. Through promotional activities by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, he hopes the audience will appreciate the charm of Chinese martial arts, understand its benefits for physical and mental health, and encourage more people to join in preserving martial arts.
If you want to witness the spectacular performance of "The Monkey King" and see the talents of the US National Youth Wushu Team members, we proudly present "Legend," which will passionately debut on October 12, 2024, at Segerstrom Concert Hall. You will not only get to enjoy the grand spectacle of the original musical "The Monkey King" again but also have the opportunity to interact closely with outstanding martial artists like Albert Liu. See you there!
Afterward:
The original musical "The Monkey King," directed by Conductor Bin He, is based on the 16th-century Chinese novel "Journey to the West." The original musical by the South Coast Chinese Orchestra is divided into five movements. From the first movement, "The Birth of the Monkey King," where an ordinary monkey begins his journey, to the second movement, "The Appreciation and the Master," showcasing his willingness to face challenges. The third movement, "Seeking Treasure Under the Sea," and the fourth, "Havoc in Heaven," demonstrate his indomitable spirit and perseverance. The final movement, "Monkey King — QiTian Dasheng," is the climax of the entire performance, highlighting his determination and heroic qualities, making him one of the symbols of courage in Chinese tradition and leaving an immortal heroic image for posterity. The success of this performance is not only a tribute to "The Monkey King" but also a strong declaration of courage and innovative spirit. It also guides us to move forward bravely and take on responsibilities like the Monkey King.
熱烈恭贺北木高中學生劉嘉瀚（Albert Liu）獲選進入2024年美國國家武術青年代表隊, 讓我們一起認識他的成長與夢想！
在2023年元宵節期間，南海岸中華文化中心隆重推出了備受期待三年的原創音樂劇《美猴王》。這部作品是南海岸國樂團指揮何彬繼《花木蘭》（2019年）之後的又一部令人震撼的劇作。
提到原創音樂劇《美猴王》，就不能不提到其扮演者Albert Liu。九歲那年，Albert開始學習武術，起因是小時候觀看功夫片和一次春節表演中見到武術學員的現場展示。他被深深吸引，父母親支持他去課後武術學校，從此開啟了他的武術之路。除了武術，他在學校也是足球和長曲棍球校隊的成員，還非常喜歡滑單板、浮潛和釣魚，這些運動不僅豐富了他的課外生活，磨練心智，也增強了他的體能、耐力和技巧。
作為一名高中生，他在繁忙的學業和校隊訓練之間，主要在週末進行武術訓練。父母的接送和支持讓他能夠堅持下來。在武術訓練中，體能消耗是他最大的挑戰，但對武術的熱愛讓他堅持下來，並在教練的指導下逐漸適應高強度訓練。出演《美猴王》的機會源於南海岸中華文化中心鐘執行長的引薦，文化中心的程老師和高家望老師分別教他太極拳和醉拳，使他獲得了寶貴的經驗。首次登台表演雖然缺乏經驗，但在老師和夥伴們的幫助下，他順利完成了演出。
特別值得一提的是，Albert憑藉自己的能力，作為青少年武術隊隊員入選了美國國家隊，他也曾參加國際比賽並取得優異成績。他計劃繼續代表美國參加國際比賽，爭取拿到更多獎牌，並在學校創建武術健身俱樂部，讓更多同學受益於武術。通過南海岸中華文化中心的推廣活動，他希望觀眾能感受到中華武術的魅力，了解其對身心健康的益處，並希望更多人加入傳承武術的行列。
如果您想一睹“美猴王”的精彩表演，並且您想一睹美國國家武術青年隊隊員的風采，我們再次向您隆重推出《傳奇》巨作將於2024年10月12日在Segerstrom Concert Hall激情上演。您不僅可以再次欣賞到《美猴王》這部原創音樂劇的精彩盛況，同時也有機會與Albert Liu這樣優秀的武者近距離交流。讓我們不見不散！
後記：
由何彬老師指導的原創音樂劇《美猴王》的故事內容取材自16世紀的中國小說《西遊記》。南海岸中華樂團的原創音樂劇《美猴王》共包含五個樂章。從《第一樂章：猴王出世》，一隻普通的小猴子通過《第二樂章：拜師學藝》，表現了他勇於迎接挑戰。《第三樂章：龍宮尋寶》、《第四樂章：大鬧天宮》表現了他勇往直前，百折不撓的精神。最後樂章《齊天大聖》是整個演出的高潮，表現出了他的堅定意志和英勇品質，使他成為中華傳統中“勇”的代表之一，為後世留下了一個不朽的英雄形象。這次演出的成功不僅是對《美猴王》的致敬，更是對勇氣和創新精神的強烈宣示。同時也指引我們要向《美猴王》一樣，勇往直前，勇敢擔當。