I would still describe China as a vast, invigorating puzzle that will never make sense to my western upbringing.
I believe in the old, because it shows us where we come from - where our souls have risen from. And I believe in the new, because it gives us the opportunity to create who we are becoming.
Is it an original idea? Or is it something where you're literally a creative collagist? You're taking pieces of the world that you see around you and that are inside of you and put them together in a way that you see fit.
U.S.-China relations doesn't need another lawyer.
Outside your door, the world is waiting. Inside your heart, a voice is calling. The four corners of the world are watching. So travel, daughter, travel. Go get it, girl.
For most Americans, my Chinese music feels like a novelty and it's not what it is for me.
I'm, I guess you could say, the Chinese-speaking, banjo-picking girl.
I've noticed that the more I open up, the more I learn.
I really believe in the power of music.
Hogslop is the real deal groovilicious honkin old-time string band. Guaranteed old-time awesomeness with these fellas around!
I tried to play flute because all the pretty girls played flute.
I reside in a new colony for the Chinese-singing banjo player, with a population of one. At least I have something I have to do with my life.
Author details
Abigail Washburn: Biography and Life Work
Abigail Washburn was a notable American clawhammer banjo player and singer. The story of Abigail Washburn began on November 10, 1977 in Evanston, Illinois, U.S..
Abigail Washburn (born November 10, 1977) is an American clawhammer banjo player and singer. She performs and records as a soloist, as well as with the old-time bands Uncle Earl and Sparrow Quartet , the experimental group The Wu Force, and as a duo with her husband Béla Fleck .
Philosophical Views and Reflections
Inspired by a 2008 volunteer experience for Sichuan Quake Relief in China, Washburn joined forces with Shanghai Restoration Project 's Dave Liang in March 2009 to create a musical project called Afterquake. The benefit EP a portion of each sale to benefit Sichuan Quake Relief was released on May 12, 2009, the first anniversary of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake . Over the course of two weeks, Washburn and Liang recorded and produced the entire project, which features electronic mixes of student voices and sounds from the disaster zone.
Washburn, along with 24 other innovative and creative thinkers worldwide, was named a TED fellow and gave a talk at the 2012 TED Convention in Long Beach about building US-China relations through music. On November 19, 2013 Washburn was officially named the first US-China Center Fellow of Vanderbilt University because of her work as an ambassador of American culture to China and her enthusiasm and willingness to help the US-China Center at Vanderbilt University in any way possible.
