2026 'Echo of Love' Charity Concert Inspires Hope Through Music to Support Good Grief

On the evening of May 9, 2026, the “Echo of Love” Charity Concert for Good Grief was successfully held at Central Presbyterian Church, bringing together musicians and the community for an evening of remembrance and healing. Hosted by Qianci Liu and Jia Song, the event used music and shared stories to transform grief into collective strength. More than $7,000 in ticket proceeds was donated in full to Good Grief to support children and families navigating loss and adversity.

Founded in New Jersey in 2004, Good Grief provides free peer support programs that help children and families build resilience after loss. To further illustrate this impact, featured speaker Christian Heiss, Executive Director of Good Grief, shared the organization’s mission and the various programs they offer to create safe, compassionate spaces for those in need. Helen Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), also emphasized the vital role of music as a powerful force in supporting such charitable causes.

The mission was brought to life through a moving reflection by Good Grief community member John Pickeral, who shared how the organization supported his family following the sudden loss of his wife earlier this year, providing hope during an incredibly difficult time. Alongside insights from volunteers Sandra Garcia and Renee Luo, pianist Han Chen, and a special letter from Pat and Pam Sullivan, these stories highlighted the evening’s core message: creating a supportive community where grieving families feel understood, connected, and less alone.

This evocative concert united an acclaimed lineup of professional artists—including 2026 Grammy-nominated pianist Han Chen—with talented local youth to deliver a profound musical journey. The program opened with a heartwarming rendition of Daylily Flower by the Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus, beautifully led by conductor Xiaoxing Shen. This was followed by a series of stirring performances, including Dvorák’s Songs My Mother Taught Me by Shuangze Xie and Jingyang Dong, and Amy Beach’s Romance by Yeshuang Chen and Jingyang Dong. In one of the evening's most poignant moments, a moving performance of Into the West by Yeshuang Chen, Qianci Liu, and Jingyang Dong served as a deeply personal tribute to the late father of young cellists Yuming Yang and Yuchen Yang.

The evening continued with technical brilliance, featuring Yuming Yang’s exquisite solo in Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1, and a rich, resonant performance of Popper’s Requiem by cellists Kenneth Wu, Yuchen Yang, and Alexander Gigliotti, accompanied by pianist Angela Chen. Taking the stage for the classical masterpieces, pianist Han Chen and cellist Qianci Liu delivered masterful, deeply felt interpretations of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a ("Les Adieux") and Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Op. 73. The concert reached its soulful conclusion with a collaborative finale of Remember Me and Slipping Through My Fingers, performed by the SHS Good Grief Club alongside the rising young musicians, leaving the audience deeply moved.

The impact of the night was best captured by those in attendance—Elsa Yu from Chatham described the event as a warm and meaningful night where the community’s heart was on full display. Jingjing, a performer’s parent, noted how music connected people from all backgrounds while teaching children about care and responsibility. Hexiang Zhang, President of the Westfield Area Chinese American Association, praised the event’s format for providing a rare opportunity for public reflection—a sentiment echoed by Terry Dwyer from Summit Boy Scout Troop 67, who found the combination of personal stories and orchestral pieces "very moving." Lulu from Livingston added that the church's elegant atmosphere and the beautifully curated performances brought a sense of hope that stayed with the audience long after the concert ended, while young performer Audrey Ning expressed her honor in playing for such a beautiful cause.

As the concert concluded on the eve of Mother’s Day, organizers expressed hope that the “Echo of Love” would continue to inspire a “community of resilience.” Ultimately, the evening served as a powerful reminder of how music, mentorship, and community support can transform grief into connection and compassion into meaningful action.

Organization & Acknowledgments

The success of the evening was made possible by the Summit Chinese American Association, co-organized by the Paulus Hook Music Foundation, Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association, Livingston Chinese Association, and Westfield Area Chinese American Association. The event was exclusively sponsored by Sofun Summit LLC, with additional support from Hexacres Floral Studio, photographer Chenfei Gao, and FancyCube.

Distinguished guests in attendance included:

• Chao Wang & Vic Wang — Sofun Summit LLC

• Joy Qiao — President of the Summit Chinese American Association

• Jeslyn Li — President of the Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association

• Xiaoshan He — President of the Livingston Chinese Association

• Hexiang Zhang — President of the Westfield Area Chinese American Association

• Fang Gong — Member of the Livingston Board of Education and Vice Chair of the Livingston Chinese Association

• Karen Kaplan — President of the Summit College Club

Production Team & Roster

• Concert Producer: Qianci Liu

• Executive Producer: Yeshuang Chen

• Music Arrangement: Matt Burkett

Featured Young Musicians: Ella Chai, Avery Zhang, Shona Meng, Emma Chen, Emmy Jia, Jayce Luo, Qiuyuan (Autumn) Liu, Taylor Zhang, Riley Shi, Irish Wang, Gordon Lin, Melody Chen, Shi Yao Zhang, Carrie Zhang, Chelsea Zhang, Isabelle Ni, Serena Ni, Haeper Zhou, Doris Chen, Julie Lan, Summer Li, Warren Li, Aaron Li, Angela Yan, Rile Fang, Isabel Shen, Thea Jin, Chloe Zhang, Lucas Chen, Jasper Li, Jessica Chen, Mia Sun, Zoe Lin, Alex Yu, Zixuan Jiang, Vienna Hoang, Kevin Zhao, Audrey Hong, Audrey Ning, Katherine Xin, Hannah Hu, Olivia Huang, Tina Zhang, Ethan Shi, Olivia Hoang, An-Ru Song, Jennifer Yu, Dora Yu, Sofia Yu, Jasper Huang, Julian Misiewicz, Jayden Huang.

Volunteers: Joy Qiao, Jia Song, Xia Wang, Bo Jiang, Chen Chen, Lifeng Sun, Jingjing Ma, Ying Xu, Huajing Xing, Shengbo Huang, Rose Huang, Zhan Shu, Yuki Zhang, Yanju Zhu, Max Huang, Daniel Qu, Hunter Patel, Eric Kulkarni.