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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
January 5, 2006
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| December 12, 2005 |
Finding strength in music – The inspiration of Jonathan Isao Lin |
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| Jonathan Isao Lin – a picture of strength. |
Jonathan Isao Lin is a living example of determination and willpower. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, with no movement below his neck, he is a talented composer of music, and a role model for thousands – in his home in Taiwan, around the world, and onboard Peace Boat. With three members of his group – The Kawsan Dance Group – he came onboard to tell his inspiring story, and spread the fascinating culture of Taiwan. |
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| Isao’s cousin, Jung-Kuei Cheng and nephew Feng-chuan Lin also joined Peace Boat. Here, they demonstrate a traditional love dance. |
When Isao was 27 years old, he fell from the second floor of a building, and became a quadriplegic. “When I had the accident and became disabled, I wanted to die, but I couldn't even kill myself,” he said. Struggling for a reason to live, Isao discovered that he could use a computer, by painstakingly manipulating the keyboard and mouse with a chopstick held between his teeth.
“I was confined to a small room with a small window. I could always see just a small view, but through my computer and the Internet, I felt connected to the rest of the world and I was able to show my family that I had a reason to keep living,” he said.
Before his accident, Isao had been interested in music. He played the trumpet and had a little experience composing. “After the accident I wanted to keep composing music, but I had no idea how to do it,” he said. A friend introduced Isao to using his computer to make music, and suddenly Isao had another reason to live. |
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| Jonathan plays his compositions from his computer, while Peace Boat participants practice the traditional dances they have learned |
He is now the core member of Kawsan Dance Group, a dance and performance group of over 100 people, ranging in age from 4 to 85 years old. Still using his original concept of a chopstick held in his mouth, Isao composes and records sounds that replicate musical instruments, and represent traditional Taiwanese music. Other group members use a range of traditional and contemporary dance to compliment his music.
Through this method, Isao records and plays a wide range of melodies, which often represent traditional stories. “To express my music I use both sound and dance. Dance movements are created to depict the contents of traditional Taiwanese fairytales and legends.” The dance group tours Taiwan, visiting schools and universities to introduce young people to traditional music in a new way, as well as to encourage them to think through music. The group has also been to Japan and Canada. |
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| Jung-Kuei Cheng and Feng-chuan Lin are joined by two Peace Boat participants, and Isao’s sister, Ching Mei Lin. |
Isao has spent the last few years concentrating on a new project – helping researchers to create a written language for the indigenous Puma tribe of Taiwan, using his computer to sort information. When this important project is completed, he looks forward to purchasing new computer programmes to continue his composing.
Joining Peace Boat was a dream come true for Isao, who has loved the ocean since he dreamed of seeing the world as a child. While onboard, Isao and his three band members onboard, who are all relatives, gave presentations of their homeland and culture, focusing on Taiwan’s indigenous tribes and its music and dance. They also taught many simple dances to participants, who were able to dress in the colorful traditional attire of Taiwan.
Isao is a perfect testimony of the key message that he offered to Peace Boat participants: “I would like to tell you all to use all of your energy as you live. Life is the most important thing, so please do not waste it,” he said. |
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