“Hello China” Screening at Flintridge Prep
La Cañada Flintridge filmmakers, social entrepreneurs, and Los Angeles natives Alan Gaskill and Christoph A. Geiseler will host a public discussion and movie screening about music in China at Flintridge Prep’s Morris Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. The screening of their film, “Hello! China” will be free. It will be followed by a concert and discussion about music education for marginalized populations in the USA, China, and Brazil.
“Hello! China” (21 minutes, MIMA Music 2006) gives an objective view of music and life in China. Parlaying China’s tremendous diversity, the film explores the music of Flamenco-playing Uiyghurs in Dali, Blues cowboys in Yangshuo, Jazz aficionados in Beijing, Communist party officials, and the Naxi Orchestra hero, Mr. Xuan Ke who talks about his imprisonment during the Cultural Revolution. The movie ends when the American travelers conduct an American-style music class for Chinese school children in Shenzhen, China.
Following the example of social entrepreneur Wendy Kopp of Teach for America, Christoph A. Geiseler ’04 turned his politics thesis for Princeton University into a nonprofit music company, called MIMA Music. MIMA Music’s mission is to inspire students of all ages with a lifelong appreciation for music making. Through its SpinJazz Program, the Princeton-based nonprofit employs the skills and manpower of university students in New Jersey, New York, New Orleans, and Madrid, Spain to give free music lessons to disadvantaged Middle School children. MIMA Music also produces educational documentaries, children’s books, and records.
MIMA Music receives support from the Edward T. Cone Foundation, Scion USA, Remo, Inc., the Google Foundation, and the Bank of America Foundation. “Hello! China” is intended for audiences of all ages. Christoph A. Geiseler was raised in San Marino and serves as MIMA Music’s founder and executive director. Alan Gaskill was raised in La Cañada and is an actor, writer and musician. He serves as MIMA music’s communications director.