‘DALE’ documentary shines a light on first Asian American woman to join the LA Phil

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Looking back on more than four decades with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, violist Dale Hikawa Silverman reflects on a lifetime devoted to music. The first Asian American woman to join the orchestra, Hikawa advanced through the ranks to become acting principal of the viola section, paving new roads as a Japanese American musician.

Inspired by the Japanese concept of ikigai, Hikawa reflects on the pursuit of meaningful work. Director Justin Streichman shares why he approached Hikawa for the documentary: 

’Dale is the mother of a dear friend of mine, who once took me to the Hollywood Bowl to see her perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. I was immediately struck by the physicality and vibrancy of Dale’s playing, even from the bleachers of the Bowl.

’My friend later told me that Dale would practice viola for hours at home in front of a large television blaring the latest football game. I was fascinated by this juxtaposition: the discipline and precision of classical music alongside the brute physical spectacle of football. I had to capture that image on film.

’That was the seed of the documentary. Once I began filming with Dale, I was drawn to her charisma, humility and candour. What began with this very specific image of her practicing became a portrait of someone looking back on more than four decades devoted to her craft and considering what that devotion had meant. 

’My own artistic path began as a musician, playing the French horn, so I felt an immediate connection to Dale’s discipline and relationship to music. But her devotion to craft resonated with me more broadly as an artist as well. Making the film became a way for me to consider the drive to continually refine and make work. What propels us to do the work that we do, and to devote so much of our lives to it?’

DALE screened at 30 festivals internationally, including Le FIFA (The International Festival of Films on Art), San Francisco DocFest, In-Edit Barcelona, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Newport Beach Film Festival.

The film received Best Documentary Portrait at DOC LA, the Swift House Prize for Best Depiction of the Arts at Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Short Documentary at DisOrient Asian American Film Festival.

DALE is now streaming on GuideDoc, Giloo, ARTS.FILM and PREVO.