Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
What is the Korean instrument gayageum?
Where is Korea? Who are Korean Americans?
How do melodies use sounds from nature?
Can I step to the big beats in 6/8?
Affirmations Through Chinese American Music
Lesson 4
15 MIN
20 MIN
We Are Golden
Sun and Moon Over Land and Sea, Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art
MUSIC MAKING
MUSIC MAKING
Singing “We Are Golden”
15 minutes
Path 1
Asian American Youth Photo, via The Children’s Partnership
25+ minutes
Meet Alice Tsui
Brooklyn, New York
Personal Collection, Alice Tsui
Let’s Meet Dr. Alice Tsui
Personal Collection, Alice Tsui
Where In The World Is China?
China
Map of the World with Countries, via freevectormap.com
Where In The World Is China?
United States
China
Map of the World with Countries, via freevectormap.com
Brooklyn Beijing
6,849 miles
Mandarin In Asia
China
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia
Taiwan
Map of Asia with Countries, via freevectormaps.com
Engaged Listening
In The People’s Republic Of China
"In The People’s Republic Of China" by Ella Jenkins
Call and Response In Mandarin
Wǒ mén
We
我 们
是
shì
Are
金 的
jīn de
Golden
Satin Embroidered, Smithsonian Asian Art Museum
Call and Response In Mandarin
我 们 是 金 的
Wǒ mén shì jīn de
We Are Golden
Satin Embroidered, Smithsonian Asian Art Museum
Call and Response In Mandarin
星星
xīng xīng
Stars
太阳
tài yáng
Sun
Satin Embroidered, Smithsonian Asian Art Museum
Vocal Tutorial
Call And Response
wǒ mén shì
tài yáng shì
xīng xīng shì
jīn de
jīn de
jīn de
1
2
3
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Call And Response
我们是
太阳是
星星是
金的
金的
金的
1
2
3
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
What Is The Meaning Of The Song?
We Are
The Sun Is
The Stars Are
Golden
Golden
Golden
1
2
3
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Sing We Are Golden
wǒ mén shì
tài yáng shì
xīng xīng shì
jīn de
jīn de
jīn de
1
2
3
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
"We Are Golden" Accompaniment by Alice Tsui
Learning Checkpoint
Where is China?
Can you sing a song in Mandarin?
What is the meaning of “We Are Golden?”
3
1
2
Bedcover, Smithsonian Design Museum
End of Path 1: Where Will You Go Next?
Return to Pathway Homepage:
Hear Us Out! Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and their Music
Advance to the next History/Culture Path:
TBD
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
Affirmations
In Music
15+ minutes
Path 2
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
What Are Affirmations?
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Affirmations with Ms. Alice
Affirmations In Music
What Affirmations
Do You Hear?
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
"You Do You" by The Bright Siders
Practice Affirmations
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
How could affirmations help if you were having a bad day?
Practice Affirmations
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
How could you use affirmations to help a friend or family member?
We Are Golden
Mandarin
Hindi
Vietnamese
Korean
Japanese
Filipino
Map of Asia with Countries, via freevectormaps.com
Creating Affirmations
Create and Share Your Own Affirmations!
Man With Pencil Supply, via freepik.com
Learning Checkpoint
What are affirmations?
Can you identify affirmations in music?
Can you create your own affirmations?
3
1
2
Bedcover, Smithsonian Design Museum
End of Path 2: Where Will You Go Next?
Return to Pathway Homepage:
Hear Us Out! Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and their Music
COMING SOON
Create Your
Own Remix
20+ minutes
Path 3
Palace Ladies Tuning a Zither, Smithsonian Asian Art Museum
The Musicians
The Instruments
Guzheng
Banjo
Guzheng and Banjo , Smithsonian
What Is A Remix?
A REMIX is when you take a song and change something to make it your own.
Let’s Listen To An Example!
Mountain Dwelling, Freer Gallery of Art
Banjo Guzheng Pickin’ Girl 天涯海角走一遍
We Are Golden Remix
ORIGINAL
REMIX
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Time To Remix!
Option 1: Rhythm
STEADY BEAT
“Golden” RHYTHM
Select Your Sounds
GROUP 2
GROUP 1
3D Render of Hands Clapping With Sound Effect; Gradient Musical Instrument Collection; Finger Snap Cartoon, via freepik.com
Vocal Tutorial
Time To Remix!
Option 2: Lyrics
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Time To Remix!
Option 2: Lyrics
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi
Learning Checkpoint
What is a remix?
Can you create and perform a remix?
What are the similarities and differences between the Guzheng and the Banjo?
3
1
2
Bedcover, Smithsonian Design Museum
End of Path 3 and Lesson 1: Where Will You Go Next?
Return to Pathway Homepage:
Hear Us Out! Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and their Music
Continue to Lesson 2:
Affirmations In Song
Discover Something New!
Jeong-ak – Music of the Korean Court
Music of the Asian Royal Courts Pathway, Lesson 3
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON
Lesson 4 Media Credits
Audio courtesy of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Pronunciation Recordings: Alice Tsui, Daniela Jung, Upendra Singh Shekhawat
Video courtesy of
Alice Tsui
Music City Roots
Images and Graphics courtesy of
Wu Fei
Khadeeja Qureshi
Alice Tsui
Abigail Washburn
Elizabeth Hand
© 2025 Smithsonian Institution. Personal, educational, and non-commercial uses allowed; commercial rights reserved. See Smithsonian terms of use for more information.
This project received Federal support from the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
For full bibliography and media credits, see Lesson 4 landing page.
Illustration, Khadeeja Qureshi