Aung Moe Kyaw, a Missouri Western State University music major from Myanmar, was invited to perform at a private concert in Washington, D.C. on April 21, 2017. The event was hosted by Derek Mitchell, former US Ambassador to Myanmar, as a fundraiser for the Myanmar Music Festival. It was at this festival four years ago that Aung Moe was discovered, and subsequently recommended to audition for the music program at Missouri Western.
Aung Moe performed solo piano works by Scriabin and Debussy, along with his own transcription of a Myanmar folk song for piano duet, accompanied by his teacher, Missouri Western faculty member Dr. Nathanael May. Dr. May was invited to speak about Missouri Western’s international student program in the context of educating Asian students in the classical music tradition. He also played a video featuring a greeting from international students at Missouri Western.
“Aung Moe both performed beautifully and spoke eloquently, a testimony to the quality of his education at Missouri Western,” Dr. May said.
Dr. Nathanael May talks about Missouri Western’s Department of Music and its education of international students.
Notable guests in attendance included His Excellency U Aung Lynn, Ambassador of Myanmar to the U.S.; Mr. Benjamin Rhodes, former Senior White House Official and Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama; and various other officials from the United States Institute of Peace, the World Bank, and the US Department of State.
Former Ambassador Mitchell concluded the event by stating that the dreams and efforts of those in attendance have yielded wonderful opportunities, as represented by Aung Moe’s performance that night. He expressed hope that these endeavors continue and thanked everyone for their contributions.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.