With a Song in My Heart
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General

With a Song in My Heart is Tai Kwun’s Community Arts Project in 2025. Curated and produced by Drip Music, a local jazz ensemble founded by renowned jazz guitarist Teriver Cheung, the project aims to bring together community partners, musicians, cancer patients, survivors and caregivers to share their challenges and experiences on the journey of battling cancer. Through storytelling, participants create songs to express their thoughts and offer a glimpse into their views on life and death.

Named after the jazz classic With a Song in My Heart, the project is inspired by Cheung’s personal experience recovering from the disease. On this journey, he met people from all walks of life who were able to understand and encourage each other, much like how jazz musicians respond and support each other unconditionally on stage. This echoes the spirit of improvisation in jazz music, where mutual respect, companionship, understanding will carry the ups and downs of life and help each other overcome the hardship through the power of music.

Based on the collaboration with Dr Alan Turry, Assistant Professor of the music therapy graduate programme at New York University, Cheung got first-hand experience of the Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy. He realized that the method is an effective way to interact with special needs communities and can serve as a valuable resource for cancer patients facing challenges. This inspired him to create a platform that connects musicians who aspire to serve, learn, connect, and grow with the community. Through these encounters, music becomes a container for emotions, allowing people to understand and empathize with one another, fostering a harmonious and inclusive community.

Project Milestones

January 2025

Project kick-off and participants orientation

February to March 2025

Music and creative workshops

18-21 April 2025

Public events at Tai Kwun, including movement workshop, sharing, mini-concerts, screening and concerts

May to June 2025

Online release of music and videos

Online release

The musicians and participants of With a Song in My Heart shared a journey that spanned across four months. They share the joy and pain in battling the disease and transform these thoughts into lyrics and melodies. The three co-created songs and their music videos will be released on online streaming platforms from May to June 2025. Stay tuned for the details.

Programme Highlights

Workshop

Workshop: Healing in Melody – Body Resonance

Rottenamimi, a YouTuber who creates content on Buddhism and philosophy, has accompanied a family member in battling cancer. She will join hands with jazz musicians Bowen Li (Piano) and Michael Chan (Guitar) to lead this workshop, guiding participants to explore their innermost emotions through movement and jazz improvisation. When a life journey faces an abrupt end, the void could be filled with melody and reminiscence of the body. Those indescribable feelings of longing, regret, and love will transform into notes and steps, resonating in the space. Rottenamimi will share how art could offer solace and strength at these vulnerable moments.

The workshop will integrate movements and musical improvisation to create a safe and non-verbal space, allowing participants to reconnect with and express themselves in an artistic environment.

Date: 18 April 2025 (Friday)
Time: 2:30 pm–4:30 pm
Venue: JC Cube
Quota: 25

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Leader
Rottenamimi
Buddhism & Philosophy YouTuber

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Jazz Duo
Bowen Li (Piano)

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Jazz Duo
Michael Chan (Guitar)

Remarks

  • Comfortable clothing is recommended. Please assess your physical condition if it is suitable for participation.

Seminar

Seminar: The Pain Soother calls the Jazz improvs' Heart

Teriver Cheung, curator of "With a Song in My Heart" will be joined by various companions on the journey of battling cancer, including a representative of cancerinformation.com.hk, and professional music therapists to engage in a profound dialogue on subjects about cancer. The focus of this sharing will be on how cancer patients, caregivers and related professionals can use improvisational music creation and experiences to open discussions about facing cancer and find hope and strength in the process.
 

Date: 19 April 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Venue: JC Cube
Language: Cantonese

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Speaker
Teriver Cheung
Curator / Musician / Cancer patient

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Speaker

Dr Alan Turry
Music Therapist
*online speaker

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Speaker

Nicole Chow
Music Therapist

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Speaker

Alan Ng
Founder of Cancerinformation.com.hk Charity Foundation

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Moderator

Hugo Wong
Music Therapist

Musical Sharing and Screening

Musical Sharing: Infinites, Lives

Life is like an impromptu movement. While we cannot predict its course, we can adapt and turn every challenge into nourishment for growth. Listen to your heart and embrace the unknowns, the winding paths may lead you to beautiful scenery at every turn. Follow the flow of life, and live out your own infinite possibilities.

Date: 19 April 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 5pm–6pm
Venue: Laundry Steps
Language: Cantonese

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Speaker

Michael Lai
Singer-songwriter

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Music improvisation

Teriver Cheung (Guitar)

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Moderator
Dr. Lee King Hang
Scholar in Philosophy


Musical Sharing and Screening: Looping Timely Jolly – playback: & :again

“Seize the moment, travel until the end”! This unusual group of travel buddies “Travel with 4 jai” is no ordinary travelers, they are a group of seven cancer patients who “pray for the best, prepare for the worst” and are determined to travel the world amid all circumstances.

In this musical sharing, members of Travel with 4 jai will tell the stories from their Chiang Mai trip, as well as the second trip, and most importantly share with the audience how they make the best use of the limited time. They will also join the participants of With a Song in My Heart to talk about how music influences their lives. The session will be moderated by Dr. Lee King Hang, a scholar of philosophy.

Date: 20 April 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 1pm–4pm
Venue: Laundry Steps
Language: Cantonese

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Speaker

Travel with 4 jai members

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Moderator

Dr. Lee King Hang
Scholar in Philosophy

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Music improvisation

Teriver Cheung (Guitar)

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Music improvisation

chancharlie (Vocal)

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Music improvisation

Clark Cheung (Vocal)

Rundown:

1pm–2pm

Sharing I

2:15pm–3:15pm

Documentary Screening of Travel with 4 jai

3:30pm–4pm

Sharing II


 


Musical Sharing: CONVO btwn – Body Forms & Improv Meloday

Rottenamimi will share her experience from the “Workshop: Healing in Melody – Body Resonance”, where she explored how movement and jazz improvisation can express innermost thoughts. In particular, she will reflect on her journey of overcoming the loss of beloved ones. Bowen Li (Piano) and Michael Chan (Guitar) will respond with jazz improvisation and create a peaceful space to feel the moment.

Date: 21 April 2025 (Monday)
Time: 2:30pm–4pm
Venue: Laundry Steps
Language: Cantonese

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Leader

Rottenamimi
Buddhism & Philosophy YouTuber

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Music improvisation

Bowen Li (Piano)

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Music improvisation

Michael Chan (Guitar)

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Moderator

Sheeta Ng
With a Song in My Heart 's Producer

Concert

Concert I: Love is All Around

The journey of battling the disease is full of hardship, but the companionship, love and support of friends cast away the darkness and give light along the way. Love is All Around  is a belief, as well as a wish to bring comfort and strength to those who are on the journey. In the melodies of love, there may be a way out.

Date: 19 April 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 8pm–9pm
Venue: JC Cube

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Performer

Jan Curious (Vocal)

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Performer

Teriver Cheung (Guitar)

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Performer

Bowen Li (Piano)

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Special guest

LLWS Choir


Concert II: Going with the Flow: Embracing the Infinite Possibilities of Life

As the music flows, we align our breath and learn to surrender ourselves to the flow of life. Fast or slow, try to go along with the pace and observe the spirit of yoga, where you can be more at ease when facing challenges. In the introspective music, let go of the past traumas and savour the beauty of the present. Find the inner peace and strength in your heart and embrace the infinite possibilities of life.

Date: 20 April 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 8pm–9pm
Venue: JC Cube

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Performer

Michael Lai (Vocal)

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Performer

Teriver Cheung (Guitar)

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Performer

Rachel Sung (Vocal)

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Performer
Leung Chun Hin (Bass)

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Performer

Samuel Chan (Drums)


Concert III: Gratitude: Embracing Life's Imperfections

Life's tides lift us up and down. Even in the face of disease and the loss of loved ones, there can be a silver lining. Music can shine like stars in the darkness, guiding us to a way out. In this concert, we express our gratitude to those who offer support and love during our most vulnerable moments, and we cherish every encounter and companion. In the harshest times, we may find beauty in the smallest details, which can become the strength to fuel our ongoing journey. Let's spread gratitude and love to those around us and embrace life's imperfections with love and hope.

Date: 21 April 2025 (Monday)
Time: 5pm–6pm
Venue: JC Cube

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Performer

Jaime Cheung (Vocal)

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Performer

Daniel Chu (Piano)

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Performer

Teriver Cheung (Guitar)

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Performer

Samuel Chan (Drums)

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Performer

Nelson Fung (Double Bass)

Public Programmes Schedule

18 April 2025 (Friday)

2:30pm–4:30pm

JC Cube

Workshop: Healing in Melody – Body Resonance

19 April 2025 (Saturday)

2:30pm–3:30pm

JC Cube

Seminar: The Pain Soother calls the Jazz improvs’ Heart

5pm–6pm

Laundry Steps

Musical Sharing: Infinites, Lives

8pm–9pm

JC Cube

Concert I: Love is All Around

20 April 2025 (Sunday)

1pm–4pm

Laundry Steps

Musical Sharing and Screening: Looping Timely Jolly – playback: & :again

8pm–9pm

JC Cube

Concert II: Going with the Flow: Embracing the Infinite Possibilities of Life

21 April 2025 (Monday)

2:30pm–4pm

Laundry Steps

Musical Sharing: CONVO btwn – Body Forms & Improv Melody

5pm–6pm

JC Cube

Concert III: Gratitude: Embracing Life's Imperfections

About Tai Kwun Community Arts Project

As a centre for heritage and arts in Hong Kong, Tai Kwun aspires to integrate the invisible power and value of arts into everyday life. In the community arts project, different communities are brought together through the means of arts to understand and care about topics that concern them. The purpose of the project is to nurture empathy among different communities using performing arts as the medium. Past community arts projects include two editions of the ÉLAN Lost Child Project HK (2020, 2022) and Remember The Time We Sing (2023). Both projects have been awarded in the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards in 2021 and 2024 respectively.

Curator

Teriver Cheung

Teriver Cheung is a multi-talented musician. He holds a degree in jazz performance and developed his career in New York. Being one of the few Hong Kong jazz guitarists and composers who have established themselves internationally, Cheung is also a member of the independent band R.O.O.T. He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer a few years ago and was fortunate to stabilise through participating in a clinical treatment program, and he now co-exists with cancer. In recent years, he continues to be active as a musician but also shares his experience battling cancer to enhance community understanding, allowing people from different backgrounds to gain a deeper understanding of life through music.