IRVINE- This Mother’s Day, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center proudly presents LEGENDS 2.0 at Segerstrom Hall—a powerful musical celebration of love, legacy, and Chinese culture.
The centerpiece of this year’s performance is the premiere of “It Is Because of You,” an original song composed and written by conductor Bin He as a heartfelt tribute to educators and mothers, inspired by the life of the late Ms. Tai Kuan-Yuan.
Ms. Tai, a beloved teacher and mother of Kingston Technology co-founder David Sun, dedicated her life to education.
In her honor, the Tai Kuan-Yuan Educational Building was completed in 2005, serving as the home of the Irvine Chinese School and the Cultural Center. Her story and the generous support of her family laid the foundation for the birth of “LEGENDS”.
Now “LEGENDS”2.0 blends East-West symphonic music, dance, martial arts, aerial acrobatics, and storytelling to bring to life the heroic tales of Mulan, the Monkey King, and Nezha.
This year, a special “Salute to Motherhood” segment features iconic Mandarin songs like “Mom Is the Best” and “Lu Bing Hua,” along with the debut of Bin He’s new cross-cultural composition—merging Western passion with Eastern depth.
Maestro He credits the formation of the South Coast Chinese Orchestra in 2017 to the vision of CEO Yulan Chung and the support of Board Chair Janie Tsao.
With this platform, the orchestra has grown into a unique ensemble of Chinese and Western instruments, enabling the creation of three original musicals to date.
The production also brings together a community of talents from the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California, and South Coast Wushu Team. Their collaboration culminated in the 2024 “LEGENDS” debut—now reborn in LEGENDS 2.0.
“The Center’s journey over the past 20 years has been possible thanks to the tireless love and support of the community—just like a mother’s embrace,”
“This musical honors not only Ms. Tai and all mothers, but also every supporter who has helped us carry the torch of Chinese culture.” said SCCCC’S CEO Yulan Chung.
Join us on May 11 at 4 PM for a Mother’s Day experience like no other. Let LEGENDS 2.0 stir your heart and spirit, and celebrate the extraordinary women who shape our lives.
Profile ：
Ms. Kuan-Yuan Tai was a beloved biology teacher at Taichung Girls’ High School for nearly 30 years. Known for her practical, inspiring teaching style, she often used personal stories to encourage her students to dream boldly and grow.
To honor her lifelong dedication to education, her eldest son, David Sun, made a generous donation when Irvine Chinese School faced funding challenges for its new campus. In gratitude, the school named the building the Kuan-Yuan Tai Educational Building.
