Teaching

Workshops, Performance Demonstrations and Lectures

Brenda Wong Aoki regularly gives lectures and workshops to a multitude of communities throughout the country. Brenda is happy to visit schools, universities, arts organizations, social justice organizations, churches, etc. to impart her expertise and wisdom learned from her vast experience and wisdom as a visionary Asian American performance artist who has worked in the field for more than thirty years.  Wong Aoki is an experienced teacher, having taught at every level from pre-school to college. She is a founding faculty member of Stanford University’s Institute for Diversity in the Arts, holds a K-12 teaching credential, an Early Childhood Development Certificate

Wong Aoki’s “Finding Voice” workshop are designed to help students utilize ritual, myth and personal history as a basis for changing the world.  Of particular importance to her is mentoring new and emerging young artists, ensuring the continuance of the art that she and others of her generation have paved the way for.

Performance for Writers: A Workshop

“Brenda’s seminar was a great opportunity to learn how we can better share the Aspiranet story and the impact of foster parenting when our team has the opportunity to engage with families and the community,”  Communications Director Stacey Fehr, Aspiranet.

2011 APIA Summit, with students from Detroit, MI

“Brenda, you might not know it now. But, your words changed my life forever. Thank you for all that you do and all that you share”

“Thanks for making me cry. in the good way art and heart can do. thank you.”

“I feel so blessed & grateful to have been able to learn so much from you in such a short time. Your workshop, plenary, & performance were inspiring, liberating, and magical. Thank you for teaching us to see the beautiful spirits in our midst & for paving the way for all of us to dance & shout on stage.”

“Thank you so much for the energy you carry and the way you hold space. It is inspirational and rejuvenating. I am proud to call you an elder that I look up to!”

“Brenda, thank you for your words and your energy. What you said on the panel i will carry with me for a lifetime.”

Past Workshops Include:

California State Summer School for the Arts (Summer Residency)

Glide Memorial Church

APIA Poetry Summit 2011

Kennesaw State University, Georgia

Consortium for the Studies on the Diaspora, Tokyo Japan 2007

Stanford University

Intersection for the Arts/Intergenerational Writers Lab Workshop 2011

Stevens Jr. High School, Long Beach

University of San Francisco

UC Santa Cruz

Lick Wilmerding High School People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS)

 

Major Support Provided By

And Individual Donors

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Phone: 415-221-0601

Address: 43 Parsons St., San Francisco, CA, 94118

Email: aokizu @ firstvoice.org

Now Booking Solo, Duet, and Ensemble Performances

Upcoming Events

April 19, 2013 The Music of MU, Public performance, Kanbar Hall Jewish Community Center SF, PLEASE RSVP at arts@jccsf.org

May 5, 2013 , Screening of "Don't Lose Your Soul," a documentary about Mark Izu and fellow Asian jazz pioneer Anthony Brown. Los Angeles. 3 PM, CGV Cinemas 2.

May 18, 2013 The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Kimochi 42nd Anniversary, Kabuki Theater SF

June 8, 2013 Obake Stories, Japanese Cultural Fair, Santa Cruz

September 27,28,29, 2013: World Premiere of MU , Friend Center for the Arts, Jewish Community Center San Francisco

------------ MU TOUR -------------

October 3rd, 2013 Youth Performance, Krannert Center for the Arts, University of Illinois, 10 AM

October 4th, 2013
10 am: Youth Performance, Krannert Center for the Arts, University of Illinois

7pm: Evening Performance, Krannert Center for the Arts, University of Illinois

Watch Videos!

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Click here to watch video clips of Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu's work


Donate to First Voice

Founded by Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu in 1995, the mission of the non-profit First Voice is to create and develop the stories and music of people living between worlds. Critical to this mission is "personal experience" or "voice" as essential to authentic pan-world culture. Please help support First Voice with a donation.