Event - June 1st, 2024

Gen-Connect's June 1st event at Richview Manor of Vaughan proved to be a huge success: to witness such a heartwarming event is a blessing.

Even before the presence of anyone at microphone, the faces of seniors throughout were illuminated just from Brianna Nita's initial soundchecks. Co-hosts Ethan Bui and Dev Achria drove the event forward, emphasizing the organization's motive: to connect generations through performative arts. This date marked its 10th event, meaning 10 hours of live performance! After a small celebration and gratitude speech from Bui, Brianna took the stage away with her cover of "Dumb Blonde" by Dolly Parton.

The lively scene stole the hearts of many ladies, and the smiles on the faces of the audience were unforgettable. Nita, who doesn't regularly sing country, has been singing since the age of 4, and is now teaching vocal arts. She often encourages her students to perform with Gen-Connects, allowing them to put their skills into real practice and entertain others.

Emma Wu blew the audience away next with her remarkable piano cover of "Fountain in the Rain" by William Gillock. After playing for only 3 years, Emma was able to evoke memories in the eyes of her audience. Her performance brought friends from the audience together to watch beside one another, their faces glowing.

Julia Xu, an inspiring 13 year-old, then surprised us all with her powerful and emotional voice, which Ethan Bui later goes on to describe as a language in its own, "in tone and passion". It's impossible to believe Xu has been singing and playing ukulele for less than a year when her raw vocals in her "Amazing Grace" cover are so incredibly moving. She possesses that rare talent of being able to be loud yet enchanting, and the audience's endearing reaction proved this. She expresses how she recently became Christian, and this performance is undoubtedly a testimony to her faith.

Furthermore, Selina and Memphis Yang's brilliant performance at their young age was a true symbol of the potential the next generation possesses. Their adorable piano duet of Rockelbel's Canon, a very common wedding song, had the audience clutching their faces and smiling in awe. It was evident that this song accompanied many memories in the lives of the spectators.

Maylin Bui's tap dance performance of "No Sleep Tonight" reintroduced energetic spirits into the room, producing by far the most smiles in the audience. The reactions of audience members to her talent and wonderful facial expressions throughout were priceless, some even getting up to get a closer view. Ethan Bui later reflects on the song title, asking the audience whether they have pulled an "all-nighter" before, because he's "spent many nights not sleeping". Men and women in the audience laughed and raised their hands, reminiscing on their youth.

The event progressed with Aiden Leung's piano performance of "Love's Sorrow". Spectators were captured by the sound. The song, long and full of emotion, was like the story of a lifetime. Leung's playing was intense and passionate, and he was able to tell a story through the instrument, a talent scarcely seen in many today. He tells us that the song is personal to him, having chosen it from his favourite TV show: "it conveys the happiness and sorrow of life". The piece was incredibly diverse, full of highs and lows, and Aiden was able to pull it off with exceptional skill.

Frank Qian's cello performance touched us all with his rendition of a beautiful piece normally played on the violin, "Sicilienne". The instrument's sound is magnificent, and Qian was able to channel it into a romantic and sad melody, stirring the emotions of many audience members. He provided spectators with a bit of a history lesson on the composition, and, when asked what they thought of the performances so far, an audience member loudly said that they were beautiful.

The audience was struck with love at Nicole and Sarah Yang's piano duet. So much talent at such a young age, and so adorable! Seniors with gleaming eyes watched and smiled at the young girls' concentration and shyness.

The event closed with another groundbreaking performance from Brianna Nita. Her more melancholy twist on the famous "Believe" by Cher reflected the true depth of the lyrics and was imbued with intense emotion that awed audience members.

During Gen-Connects' traditional Happy Birthday song to all born in June, we witnessed a lovely man join in with his own vocals. We asked him, "how long have you been singing?". "Only 60 years". Gen-Connects strives to show different generations that they have so much in common, despite these many decades separating them. We strive to bring magic into numerous institutions and remove any generational gaps.

Thank you to all for participating in or attending our June 1st event!