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Members

redsqr Shin Yi Yang (Director)

Founder of the Boston Guzheng Ensemble, studied gu-zheng and gu-qin with several reputable masters, such as Wang Ruey-Yuh, Professor Liang, Tzay-Pyng and Professor Wang, Hai-Yan in Taiwan and Dr. Tong, Kin-Woon, and Hon, See-Wah in Hong Kong. Ms. Yang graduated from the National Taiwan Academy of Arts (NTAA, now known as National Taiwan University of Arts), and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Ms. Yang held a gu-zheng position in Keelung Municipal Chinese Orchestra at Keelung City after she graduated from APA.

In 1995, Ms. Yang came to Boston, and was given the opportunity to perform for the local people. Since then she has been invited to give performances and lectures at The Boston Conservatory, the New England Conservatory, Boston University, Wellesley College, Paine Hall and Sanders Theatre at Harvard University. She has also given a recital entitled "Harmony with Nature" at the Chinese Culture Center of TECO in Boston.

As a gu-qin teacher, she was awarded by the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship through the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Folk Arts and Heritage Program, which is awarded annually to a limited number of master artists to support the teaching of traditional arts specific to a particular folk group or ethnic community. She was also interviewed by WGBH radio station's program called "Arts and Ideas" to talk and play gu-qin. Currently Ms. Yang is a gu-zheng instructor at Huaxin Chinese School, Huaxin School of Arts and Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA). She also gives private lessons of the gu-zheng and the gu-qin.

 

redsqr Emily Chen

Emily Chen is a sophomore attending Brandeis University and currently is a major in biochemistry and a minor in environmental studies. She has been playing guzheng for about 10 years with Ms. Shin-Yi Yang, becoming one of the founding members of the Boston Guzheng Ensemble in 2002 and joining the GBCCA Music Ensemble in the same year with this instrument.

Her accomplishments with the guzheng include gaining the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship with Shinyi Yang from the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Folk Arts and Heritage Program, winning the Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo Annual Chinese Music Instrument Competition, and achieving the Anick Award for Musical Excellence from the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library. Emily also plays the yang qin, or Chinese dulcimer, and also enjoys photography, poetry, and listening to music.

 

redsqr Karen Chen

Karen Chen is currently a sophomore at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. She has been playing guzheng for about six years, starting when enrolling in an after school program at the age of nine at the Lexington Chinese School, and then taking private lessons with Ms. Shin-Yi Yang soon after. Since then she has been an active member of the Boston Guzheng Ensemble.

In 2009 she was the Master of Ceremonies for the second annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo Annual Chinese Music Instrument Competition. In addition, she has won the 2010 Anick Award for Musical Excellence from the Friends of Marlborough Public Library. Playing guzheng has always given her a sense of Chinese culture and its music, and she loves it. Besides guzheng, she teaches Chinese Folk Dance at the Lexington Chinese School. She is also a member of the CRLS Modern Dance Company, as well as the Sailing Team and Mock Trial Team. Additionally, she is also an anchor for “Youth View Cambridge”, a community television channel, and has won the Unsung Hero Award at CRLS.

 

redsqr Kai Leung Chow

Kai-Leung Chow, born in China, grew up in Hong Kong, came to US as the forth generation. Resident of the state of Vermont. Retired from being an Electrical Engineer for more than 20 years. Have a deep love for Chinese culture, especially Chinese music. Currently learning to play Gu-Zheng from Miss Shin-Yi Yang, learning to play Di-Zi from Mr. Tai-chun Pan . Love Gu-Zheng so much that even learn to make them. Without Gu-Zheng, for me, life would be so boring.

 

 

redsqr Helen Dong

Helen Dong is a 5th grader in the Martha Jones school in Westwood. She has been playing Guzheng for a year now. She started taking lessons with Ms.Yang because of her fondness of a Guzheng's musical sound. Helen has won first prize in two Nature Ambassador competitions,which took place in GBCCA, one in 2006 and the other in 2007 and also won third prize in a speech competition NCLS in 2009. In the New England speech competition, she got runner-up. Besides Guzheng, Helen also plays piano, and enjoys reading and writing on her free time. She also enjoys hanging out with animals and horseback riding.

 

redsqr Kyna Hu

Ever since she was a little girl, Kyna had admired the ethereal ladies that plays the guzheng in traditional Chinese kungfu movies. Though she loved the instrument, she didn't get a chance to learn it until she graduated college in 2005.

In the beginning, guzheng playing was just a hobby to mend a broken heart. She learned to play the instrument by watching recorded videos (VCD) and taking basic lessons from a friend. As she played the instrument over the years, it became a true passion. In 2007, she began her guzheng studies with Ms. Yang.

Today, guzheng is an important part of Kyna's life. Through playing the instrument, she finds inner peace, learns patience, and enjoys the relaxation it brings.

 

redsqr Annie Ma

Annie Ma is currently an 8th grader at Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington. At the age of 5, she became interested in music through playing piano. When Annie was in second grade, she moved to Shenzhen where she first encountered Guzheng and found it elegant and unique. She started playing Guzheng there.

Annie started taking private Guzheng lessons with Ms. Yang in Januaray 2010. In her school production of Mulan Jr. she played Guzheng in the opening pre-show. Besides playing Guzheng, Annie also enjoys drawing, reading, and biking.

 

 

redsqr Amy Wang

Amy Wang is currently an eighth grader attending the Chenery Middle School in Blemont. She has been playing guzheng for roughly three to four years, starting in fifth grade. Besides playing guzheng, she also plays the violin in which she had taken lessons for since second grade, and has a passion for art, in which she is now taking classes at the Museum of Fine Arts.

 

 

 

redsqr Anna Zhou

Anna Zhou is a 12-year old 7th grader at Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington. She has been learning Guzheng with Ms. Shin-Yi Yang for 3 years and Anna enjoys playing Guzheng. By learning Guzheng, she has made lots friends. She also learned to be more peaceful. Anna likes to fence, swim and sometimes skate. Anna is in the Moe Wen fencing Club. Anna has even won first place before, in a fencing tournament. She also plays flute in her school’s band. Also, Anna wants you to know, that she has a funny little sister at home named Emme who plays the Dulcimer.

 

redsqr Lily Zhu

Lily Zhu is currently a sophomore at Lexington High School. Ever since she was very young, music has been her passion, beginning with her study of the piano. When she first encountered a guzheng at the age of 11, she was immediately impressed by its elegance and graceful sound. 

In September of 2006, Lily began guzheng lessons with Ms. Shin Yi Yang, and still continues to discover more and more beauty in this instrument and its music. Over these several years of studying the guzheng, her love and enthusiasm for it have made the guzheng her favorite instrument.

In addition to the Boston Guzheng Ensemble, Lily has been a member of the GBCCA Chinese Music Ensemble since 2008, where she plays both guzheng and percussion. In September of 2008, Lily won gold prize in the first annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo Annual Chinese Music Instrument Competition, and in 2010 she received bronze medal in the third annual competition. Besides being involved in Chinese music, Lily is also the first chair flutist in the LHS Concert Band, and is active in ultimate frisbee.