Commissioned by pianist Annie Jeng, Above Home, Beyond the Sea resonates with personal stories and cultural heritage, framed around the famous Chinese folk song "Da Hai" (Ocean, My Mother). A symbol of Jeng's bicultural identity, the piece reflects her experience as a child of Taiwanese immigrants, rooted both in American life and Chinese tradition, unified by music.

The melody, a familiar tune in her mother's choir, the Glorystar Children's Chorus, holds an additional layer of poignancy. It stands as a tribute to a loved family friend, an 'unofficial aunt,' who passionately loved "Da Hai" and tragically lost her life.

Above Home, Beyond the Sea expands on the original song and captures the complex emotions associated with loss, memory, and cultural identity. The myriad feelings of nostalgia, grief, and bittersweet remembrance are echoed within the notes, rendering this a melodic memoir.

This piece was premiered by Annie Jeng at the University of Michigan on Feb. 26, 2019, as part of her DMA degree requirement.