Asia Society Texas' Encore Series brings you the very best of our in-person programs — in bite-size form. Revisit highlights from events you've enjoyed live, or sample exciting new performances, all from the comfort of home.

In December 2021, pianist Kaisar Anvar presented a recital that took guests on his personal journey as a Uyghur artist from Xinjiang, China, to the United States, celebrating the music that has shaped him along the way. The program included pieces by Beethoven, Scarlatti, Chopin, Charles Vine, and popular Uyghur tunes. Here, Anvar plays his transcription of "Sherq Güzili" ("The Beauty From the East") by Uyghur composer Quddus Khojamyarov.

This program was presented as part of Asia Society Texas' Muslim Series.

Learn more about the performance »

About Kaisar Anvar

Pianist Kaisar Anvar, born and raised in Karamay, Xinjiang, China, began playing the piano when he was seven years-old, studying with acclaimed piano professor Mrs. Tumris Musabayov, and then continuing his studies with world-renowned Russian pianist and professor Svetlana Abdukarimova from the Tashkent Conservatory in Uzbekistan.

In 2006, in Urumqi, he was offered the opportunity to perform in a master class given by acclaimed pianist Dr. Richard Mercier, who was touring Xinjiang at the time. This experience opened Kaisar up to new perspectives and levels of comprehension on the classical piano repertoire composed by European masters. Encouraged by Dr. Mercier, Kaisar applied for and was accepted into the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

Kaisar continued his musical journey with intensive training when he accepted a full scholarship offer from Yale School of Music in 2015, where he studied with one of the famous pianists of the 20th and 21st centuries, Boris Berman. Berman’s teaching method allowed Kaisar to fill in gaps on different areas of his performance practice, and the institution itself allowed him to grow into a more mature and analytical musician. After graduating from Yale University in 2017, Kaisar remained in the beautiful city of New Haven from 2017 until 2019, and excelled in teaching while conducting independent research on Uyghur music. He currently lives in Falls Church, Virginia.

About the Muslim Series

Through a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes Asia Society’s breadth of programming opportunities, this series explores the artistic talents and stories of American Muslims to inspire our community to better understand one another.

For information about sponsoring the Muslim Series and other programs like this one, please contact Jenni Rebecca Stephenson, Director of Development, at [email protected] or 713.496.9909.

Series Sponsors

Eddie Allen and Chinhui Juhn 
Shaista Khan and Shahzad Bashir
Tariq and Dr. Uzma Iqbal
Saniah and Hyder Kazimi 
Drs. Basheer and Saleha Khumawala 
Drs. Monira and Azam Kundi 
Shazma and Arshad Matin
Fakhruddin Sabir | F S Group Architects & Developers
Cartha and Nameer Siddiqui | Goldman Sachs
Selma and Mustafa Tameez

Performing Arts and Culture programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Syamal and Susmita Poddar. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, and The Brown Foundation Inc. Generous funding also provided by AARP, The Anchorage Foundation of Texas, The Clayton Fund, and Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Additional support provided by the Wortham Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, United Airlines, and through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas Center.

Performing Arts and Culture Presenting Sponsors

Syamal and Susmita Poddar

Official Airline Sponsor

Performing Arts and Culture Program Sponsors

About Asia Society at Home

We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.