Hope Cannot Be Suppressed-text and music by D.F.-Kevin Zhang, Bass

The next piece by Mr. Zhang comes with a backstory. Mr. Zhang, like many of our performers today, are practitioners of a spiritual discipline called Falun Dafa, a name many of you here may now know. In China, the land where the practice originated, there is no freedom of religion, and Falun Dafa practitioners face imprisonment and torture on a daily basis. This next piece was composed by the practice's founder, Master Li Hongzhi. Given that Mr. Zhang will be singing the original in Chinese, allow me to read you the lyrics. We will later hear the song. It goes like this. Over our many lives, we lose sight of home. Status, wealth, and joy are mistaken for success. Yet most all people did from heaven descend. Here they have awaited the Creator's coming. Modern thought and ways veer far from the divine. Evolutionary theory cannot bear. Atheism brings harm to humanity, eclipsing mankind's sense of hope. But the great way back to heaven, Dafa, is now taught. Its followers have insight into the truth, set aside doubt, break the spell, and strive upon the path divine. Ladies and gentlemen, singing Hope Cannot Be Suppressed, please welcome back Kevin Zhang.