Unbreakable Spirits, the 12-part radio series produced by Artistic Circles and Ann Feldman and showcasing China’s emerging women musical and performance artists, reached thousands of listeners throughout the world in 1999 and 2000. Not only did the series garner praise and awards for its portrayal of the changing roles of women, but its influence and outreach continues in the new millennium.

First aired on WBEZ’s program Eight Forty Eight in March, 1999, the station “received more phone calls and e-mails from listeners than we have for any other single segment so far…” said Tish Valva, Executive Producer, Eight Forty Eight, WBEZ-FM Chicago.

The series, which combined narrative with musical performances ranging from “Pop and Rock in China”, an interview with a female Buddhist Monk discussing Chinese Buddhist chant, and “Bridging China and Japan”, continued to elicit excellent reviews and praise. Scott Moore wrote that “the combination of political introspection over music is sending chills up my spine”, while another who listened the “Anti-Japanese Protest Songs” called it “an illuminating and effectively integrated mixture of music, terrible personal memories and scholarly context”.