There’s something captivating about how Wang Gang approaches traditional music—he doesn’t just preserve it, he breathes new life into it. His latest composition, “Memory of Xinjiang,” continues this approach, building on the success of “Spring Rain” from his Eastern Journey series, which earned a Global Music Award.

Wang’s new composition draws from the folk song “Our Wonderful Xinjiang,” and here’s what’s fascinating—he preserves its traditional rhythms and modal structures while incorporating modern electronic elements. The result creates an auditory experience that honestly feels like traveling across Xinjiang’s diverse geography. You can almost see the Nalati Grassland stretching endlessly, feel the imposing presence of the Tianshan mountains, and sense the shifting sands of the Kumtag Desert.

Wang acknowledges that we’re living in an era dominated by short videos and the pursuit of online traffic, yet he firmly believes in pure music’s power to anchor listener attention. His goal is transforming simple auditory perception into what he describes as a multidimensional musical experience that evokes profound emotional resonance.

What’s interesting is how Wang’s approach reflects broader changes happening in Chinese folk music. As globalization and digital technology reshape how music gets made and shared, traditional sounds are finding fresh expressions through cross-cultural partnerships and technological innovation. It’s not just about preserving the past anymore—it’s about making it relevant for today.

For “Memory of Xinjiang,” Wang assembled an international team of musicians working across borders—no small feat in today’s world. The collaboration includes violinist Zhang Yi, cellist Yu Ping, Guzheng artist He Ying, and Pipa artist Zhou Yating from China, alongside vocalist Li Sisi. Producer Mei Zi worked with Canada’s Osmanthus Music Studio for recording and mixing, proving that great music doesn’t recognize geographical boundaries.

What’s particularly striking about the piece is how it weaves together instruments from different traditions. Traditional Xinjiang and Central Asian instruments like the Sitar, Daf drum, Rawap, and Tambur blend seamlessly with digital synthesis and modern production techniques. This isn’t just musical fusion for its own sake—Wang genuinely sees it as the future of composition and music distribution. The efficiency and creative flexibility this approach offers has clearly impressed him, and honestly, the results speak for themselves.

The project reunites Wang with executive producer Fei Yun, a Chinese Canadian musician who’s built quite a reputation for curating original compositions that highlight Chinese folk elements. Her track record is impressive—previous projects include acclaimed works like “Drum Zen,” “Spring Rain,” and “The Song of the Drums” series, which have earned recognition at international art competitions. What makes her particularly valuable isn’t just her artistic insight, but her practical experience in bringing Chinese music to global audiences without losing its authenticity.

Fei Yun’s background as an independent producer gives her a unique perspective on how traditional elements can resonate with contemporary listeners worldwide. She understands both the creative and business sides of music, which is increasingly important in today’s industry. Her involvement brings a level of credibility that matters when you’re trying to bridge cultural gaps through music.

Wang’s work sits at a really interesting intersection. He’s deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture but equally engaged with contemporary aesthetics and technology. Whether through remote collaboration or the fusion of digital and multimedia art, he’s constantly pushing boundaries while respecting the source material—a balance that’s harder to achieve than it sounds.

The composer’s range is genuinely impressive, spanning from the delicate melodies of Jiangnan Tanci to the complex rhythms of Xinjiang’s Maqam musical tradition. His ability to move between classical instruments and electronic textures speaks to a broader evolution in how Chinese music engages with the world. It’s not about choosing sides between old and new—it’s about finding ways to make them work together.

“Memory of Xinjiang” represents more than just musical innovation—it’s part of a growing movement where traditional music doesn’t simply preserve the past but actively engages with the present. Through collaborations that cross continents and genres that blend centuries of musical development, Wang is helping Chinese music find its rightful place on the global stage.

The success of projects like this suggests that audiences are genuinely hungry for music that honors tradition while speaking in contemporary terms. As technology continues to reshape how music gets created and distributed, composers like Wang are proving that cultural authenticity and modern innovation don’t have to be opposing forces. In fact, when done thoughtfully, they can enhance each other in ways that create something entirely new yet deeply familiar.

There’s something hopeful about this approach to music-making. In an era where cultural divisions often make headlines, Wang’s work demonstrates how artistic collaboration can build bridges between different worlds, creating shared experiences that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.

Emily Pratt Slatin is not someone who speaks in half-measures. A former firefighter and paramedic lieutenant, passionate photographer, and candid writer, Slatin has built a life defined by authenticity and resilience. Through her personal blog RescueGirl557, she shares her experiences with unflinching honesty—from the challenges of an unconventional upbringing to finding peace on her Vermont farm. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Slatin about her journey, her values, and what drives her unwavering commitment to living truthfully.

The Conversation

You’ve written extensively about your early life and identity struggles. How would you describe those formative years?

I was born intersex with XX chromosomes and unmistakably female anatomy aside from one trait. From the beginning, my identity was a battleground. My family refused to accept me as their daughter, even trying to legally change the name “Emily” that nurses had written on my birth chart. But I knew who I was—I was Emily when I looked in the mirror, when I introduced myself to strangers. At 16, doctors clinically confirmed what I’d always known: I was genetically female. That sparked what my family called an “intervention,” which was really more of a tribunal where they condemned who I was. That was the moment I walked away and lost my biological family. But they were never really mine to begin with, and their absence hurt less than their expectations.

After that separation from your family, how did you build your life?

By 16, I was working at a summer camp where I’d grown up, and by 18, I had earned my EMT certification and joined a local fire department. I made a name for myself—Emily, Rescue Girl, the one who didn’t flinch, the one who stayed standing. For over two decades, I worked in emergency services, eventually becoming a Firefighter and Paramedic Lieutenant-Specialist. I led crews, taught trainees, and saved lives, all without the support or approval of the family who had cast me out. But witnessing tragedies that no human being should ever have to see takes its toll. Eventually, I chose to walk away from that career—not because I couldn’t handle it anymore, but because some chapters don’t need closure. They just need to end.

Your blog reflects an extraordinary commitment to honesty. Why is authenticity so important to you?

I’ve been told I’m too much, too intense, too much of an over-sharer, and too honest—I take every one of those labels as a compliment. I don’t do small talk or sugarcoat hard truths. On my blog, I share the most painful chapters of my life not for shock value or pity, but because truth doesn’t care if it makes people uncomfortable. I refuse to shrink myself to make others feel comfortable. My loyalty lies with the truth, no matter how harsh. I believe you either speak the truth or you’re lying—there’s no in-between. This moral stance is a throughline in my worldview. After spending so much of my early life having others try to control my narrative, living authentically is non-negotiable.

After leaving emergency services, you turned to homesteading. What does that lifestyle represent for you?

I bought a modest ranch house on 10 acres of Vermont farmland, seeking grit, utility, and freedom over comfort. I wake up every morning in a house I wired, on land I protect, with things I built from scratch. Every square inch of this life is mine. There are no name corrections needed on this property. After a lifetime of others trying to control my narrative, I’ve literally constructed a space where I answer to no one’s expectations but my own. I refuse to pay people to do what I can do myself with my own two hands. The coffee tastes stronger when you’ve earned your peace with blistered hands. The sun feels warmer when you no longer hide your skin.

Your writing often references “ghosts” and “storms.” What do these metaphors represent in your life?

The ghosts are the impressions of memory, loss, and former selves—the child I never got to be, the friends and family who faded from my life, even the person I was before trauma reshaped me. They follow us quietly, in the spaces between chaos and calm. The storm represents my emotional intensity—my rage, passion, pain, and power all at once. I used to see this intensity as a problem, but I’ve come to claim it: I am the storm, the woman who cannot be contained. And I would not change a damn thing. These aren’t just metaphors—they’re how I make sense of the chaos I’ve survived, how I process my emotional life and find meaning in everything I’ve endured.

You’ve written movingly about finding love with your wife, Amelia. What does that relationship mean to you?

With Amelia, love was not struggle or sacrifice; it was as easy, and as necessary, as breathing. She saw me as a person in a way that hit harder than I was willing to admit, because I had grown used to being overlooked or misunderstood. When she came out as transgender, I knew I loved her with a certainty that does not shake loose in the dark. Both of us faced family rejection for our love—the day I married Amelia was the day I lost what little connection I had left with my own family. Instead of letting this dual abandonment embitter us, we stood closer. We stitched a new family out of the thin air around us, made stronger precisely because it was chosen, not assigned. In the silence they left behind, we found something better than acceptance—we found belonging.

Beyond your personal journey, you’re also a creative person—a writer, photographer. How do these creative outlets shape your life?

Writing has been my lifeline—prose is what kept me alive on dark nights. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in my youth, which shaped my literary perspective. Photography allows me to tell visual stories, capturing moments and places with the same honesty I bring to my writing. I’m not built for mediocrity; I don’t fear obsession, I embrace it. Anything worth doing deserves my full force, my entire intellect, and my unwavering focus. That’s how I approach everything, from fixing a tractor to composing the perfect shot. Mastery, to me, is a form of both personal discipline and self-expression.

After everything you’ve been through, what values guide your life now?

Authenticity is my North Star—I’ve never relinquished my right to define myself. Courage and resilience are second nature to me; sometimes bravery is quiet and stubborn, reaching for something better even if your hands are shaking when you do it. Compassion runs deep—ironically, the very girl whom my parents called selfish and wrong grew up to devote decades to rescuing strangers and caring for a child who wasn’t legally mine. And integrity infuses everything—I simply will not live a lie. I will speak up, even if my voice shakes. I will cut ties, even if my heart aches. I will stand in my own skin, unashamed and unafraid.

Finding Truth in Resilience

Emily Pratt Slatin’s story is ultimately one of hope—hope in finding love that accepts you fully, hope in creating family and community from scratch, hope in the simple healing found in nature and honest work. After facing rejection, trauma, and loss, she has transformed pain into strength and isolation into self-sufficiency.

“I didn’t need happy,” she reflects. “I needed honest. And that is exactly what I finally have.”

That hard-won honesty is the compass by which Slatin steers her life. It makes her voice powerful and her presence authentic—a testament to a woman who chose to live truthfully, love deeply, and never let others define her fate.

In Brooklyn, For The Better Inc., a nonprofit founded by Rasheedat Ajala, is driving transformative change in youth health and wellness. But the organization isn’t doing it alone. With strategic support from local business partners like Ponce Bank and Black Health, For The Better Inc. is building healthier futures for minority youth through collaborative efforts that bring community resources together for greater impact.

The Power of Partnerships in Community Health

For The Better Inc. believes that community-driven solutions are key to sustainable health improvements. By partnering with businesses that share its mission, the nonprofit has been able to expand its reach, amplify its impact, and fund more programs for Brooklyn’s underserved youth. These partnerships provide crucial financial backing, resources, and in-kind support that allow the organization to deliver hands-on health programs and workshops that resonate with teens.

“Health education is essential, but it’s just the beginning,” says Ajala. “With the help of partners like Ponce Bank and Black Health, we’re able to bring these programs to life and reach even more young people. Our partners are integral to our mission; they understand the importance of health equity and the impact it has on every community.”

Partnership Success Stories: Making a Difference Together

Ponce Bank’s partnership with For The Better Inc. began with a shared commitment to fostering community resilience. By funding key programs like Better Health for Teens, Ponce Bank has enabled hundreds of Brooklyn teens to access nutrition education, cooking classes, and fitness workshops that wouldn’t otherwise be available to them.

“As a community-centered bank, we believe in investing in programs that make a tangible difference,” says a representative from Ponce Bank. “Our partnership with For The Better Inc. allows us to give back in a meaningful way. We’re proud to support an organization that’s dedicated to changing lives, one healthy choice at a time.”

Black Health has also played a critical role, providing resources for health screenings, mental wellness workshops, and nutritional guidance. By aligning with For The Better Inc., Black Health reinforces its commitment to addressing disparities in health education and access for minority communities. Together, they’re creating a foundation for a healthier future by empowering teens to take control of their well-being.

“Our collaboration with For The Better Inc. allows us to combine our expertise and resources,” says a spokesperson from Black Health. “It’s not just about addressing health issues but about creating lasting change by instilling healthy habits in the next generation.”

Expanding Impact: New Sponsorship Opportunities

For The Better Inc. is actively seeking new partners to join its mission and support its growing initiatives. Upcoming sponsorship opportunities include:

• Nutrition Workshops Series: A series of monthly cooking and nutrition classes for teens, where partners can provide funding, in-kind donations, or branded materials to support interactive sessions focused on healthy eating.
• Teen Wellness Challenges: Sponsors can help power upcoming challenges, such as the “Step Up for Health” fitness challenge, where teens log daily steps or physical activities, with sponsors recognized for contributing to prizes, awards, and event materials.
• Annual Community Health Fair: A large-scale event planned for Spring, bringing together local families, teens, and health experts for a day of free health screenings, fitness activities, and wellness talks. Sponsors can have dedicated booths, brand placements, and engage with the community directly.

Ajala emphasizes that these collaborations are mutually beneficial: “By partnering with us, businesses not only contribute to a crucial cause but also reinforce their role as a community ally. Together, we’re not just building programs; we’re building a legacy of health and empowerment for the next generation.”

Join Us in Building a Healthier Future

For The Better Inc. continues to expand its reach, and with every new partnership, its impact grows stronger. As a partner, you’re more than a sponsor; you’re a cornerstone of a movement that prioritizes health, equity, and opportunity for all. By aligning with For The Better Inc., you have the chance to make a difference that will resonate across generations.

Are you ready to help build a healthier, more equitable future? Partner with For The Better Inc. and become part of a legacy that empowers minority youth to lead healthier lives. Together, we can bring meaningful change to our community.

Partner with us today. Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable future for our community’s youth.