Ms. Branch has a master's degree in fine arts administration from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in art history from Hampton Institute. She has managed the city's public art program for ten years.
Before coming to Pasadena she was director of public programs at the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles, including the annual Festival of Masks.
She greeted Divine Performing Arts graciously, saying "I want welcome your spectacular performance … very traditional. This is a city that appreciates and respects tradition; yesterday we had our 120th Rose Parade."
The Rose Bowl Parade began in 1890, and was inspired by the "Battle of the Flowers" in Nice, France. The flamboyant parade of marching bands, horses, and floats covered with flowers is broadcast around the world. Actress Cloris Leachman served as the 2009 Grand Marshall.
Familiar as she is with art and tradition, Ms. Branch found much to praise in Divine Performing Arts show.
"It's so full of color,” she said. “The performance has beautiful dance movements and lovely costuming and the music, really, I think speaks to everyone. Thank you so much."
Ms. Branch enjoyed “The Monkey King Triumphs,” taken from the classic 16th-century Chinese novel, Journey to the West.
"Oh, I think I like the program that has the monkey in it, I thought that was fun, she said. “I liked the energy and the dynamism, and I like the retelling of old stories.”
Ms. Branch said she felt people from many cultures and of all ages would respond to the performance. Children and adults, Western and Eastern people would relate to it.
'Different Generations Would Appreciate That'
Ms. Branch explained that, in her opinion, the values of classical arts are timeless and universal.
"Oh absolutely, beauty and grace… as I said, some of these stories, even though they may be unique to this performance, and unique to Chinese culture, they also have their own versions in other cultures throughout the world. I think anybody would have an appreciation for the beauty, the music, the dynamism and the stories.”
Ms. Branch went out of her way to mention the computer-generated interactive backdrop.
“It was kind of fun to see the background on the screen, with the figures kind of going up, that was also a new element which really made it fun. I think a lot of different generations would appreciate that as well, from kids to older people.
“I just want to say it’s spectacularly beautiful and graceful and so much color."
Ms. Branch concluded, with a multicultural flourish.
"Thank you so much. There’s one more thing I'd like to say, I hope I get it right: Xin nian hao—Happy New Year, thank you.”
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Divine Performing Arts. For information about schedules and tickets, please visit the Divine Performing Arts website.