TeaFestPDX 2026 Education Schedule

9:45 - 10:45 Heart Strings Mandarin Music Trio

Join the Heart Strings Mandarin Music Trio for an enchanting musical journey that weaves together the rich tapestry of Asian melodies and global sounds, from the gentle sway of Bossa Nova to beloved contemporary favorites. Our trio brings together the haunting elegance of the erhu, the warm resonance of keys and vocals, and the rhythmic pulse of bass and guitar — a beautiful fusion of traditional Chinese and Western instruments. Our program celebrates the rich diversity of world cultures and the universal power of music to bring people together.

11:30 - 12:30 Doyeon Lim

Kayageum is a Korean traditional harp which has 1500 years of history.  Doyeon Lim is the only Kayageum performer in NW America and the founder of Korean Music Institute of Oregon.  She has been a presence in music festivals since 2003 in Korea and the US, participating in events in cities, universities, K-12 schools, and libraries.  Doyeon Lim and her students, Claira and Lisa, are going to play a variety of songs from Korean folk songs to contemporary music on Kayageum which is bearing ancient Korean music spirit!

1:30 - 2:30 Jay Ringer

Jay Ringer is a multi-instrumentalist and frequent performer around the Portland region. He delivers unique interpretations of classic melodies in a style known as dreamscape jazz. His original compositions can be found online, including a recent score for a feature-length film.

3:30 - 4:30 Wyetta Bontempo

Wyetta Bontempo plays “ragas”, completely improvisational Hindustani (North Indian) Classical music, in the Dagarvani Dhrupad style on rare stringed instruments including the 25-stringed sarod and the extremely rare surshringar. Hindustani music can be considered the original form of sound healing, and Wyetta’s renderings can evoke a variety of rasas (colors or emotions) such as peace, longing, devotion, wonder, courage, or sorrow. Wyetta will play ragas that, according to the theory and philosophy of Hindustani music, align with the nature and vibrations present at the time of performance such as cooling vibrations to offset the heat of the sun, fecund vibrations to align with spring, or the satisfying vibrations that align with the sensations of enjoying a wonderful cup of tea.