Founders:

Yixuan Li, Nick Chen, Jerry Fu, Jenny Jin, Yoyo Song, Sonny Tang, Kevin Tong, Peter Wang, Luna Zhang

 

The name Dandelight Orchestra is inspired by the images of dandelions and sunlight. The dandelion symbolizes a community of international students who, though rooted in the same hometown, have drifted across the world to study abroad. Sunlight represents hope, resilience, and the spirit of overcoming challenges during the difficult years of the pandemic.

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Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dandelight Orchestra was a self-organized symphony orchestra created by middle and high school students studying in American schools while taking online classes from Beijing. United by their passion for music, these students came together to rehearse, perform, and support one another through an uncertain time.

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The orchestra invited Ms. Xiaoqing He as conductor and Yihang Sun as assistant conductor. Rehearsals were held every weekend at the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People. During its founding period, the orchestra performed a selection of classic pieces, including “My Motherland and Me,” “Yesenia,” “Waltz No. 2,” and “Colonel Bogey March.”

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Through music, Dandelight Orchestra brought joy, encouragement, and hope to both its members and audiences during the pandemic.