No, Stephen Shey is not Filipino American. Rather, the violinist, labeled as an unusual ambassador of Filipino music because of his special interest in the Kundiman, a sentimental Tagalog song characterized by soulfulness, is Chinese American by ethnicity but maybe Filipino by heart.
Stephen has performed internationally, in Poland, England, Sweden and yes, in the Philippines, among others. He is currently a student at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the tutelage of Prof. Mark Lakirovich.
The Asian Journal caught up with Stephen a few days before his concert. He seemed a little shy on the phone at first, when asked how he felt about the honorary title given him as ambassador of Filipino music. “I feel honored that the Filipino people have given me that title. I’m glad that they have embraced me as that and that they feel that I qualify and represent part of their culture,” he said.
Complete article here from Asian Journal (Los Angeles)
Published: January 15, 2007