A Journey of Growth
I began my journey with the pipa in the second grade, inspired by the elegant performances of talented musicians in beautiful qipaos on television, as my mother fondly recalls.
My passion for pipa flourished as I joined a Chinese orchestra in junior high school, where I transitioned from small private lessons to a more independent and challenging learning environment. In this setting, I learned essential skills such as tuning and replacing strings on my own, marking significant personal growth. The Chinese idiom "ten years of practice for one minute on stage" perfectly encapsulates my experience with the orchestra, where rigorous rehearsals and performances honed my abilities. I vividly remember the intense training sessions for competitions, where our mornings were filled with joy as we headed to the practice room, only to be utterly exhausted by the afternoon, each of us striving to find the perfect posture to play seamlessly.
Promoting Cultural Heritage
My dedication to promoting Chinese traditional music continued into my university years, where I joined the Five Millennia Orchestra at UC San Diego. This student-founded society, committed to preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage, has provided me with the opportunity to perform quarterly concerts to an audience of over 200 people. Through our music, we aim to bridge cultures and bring the soulful essence of China's five thousand year history to a broader audience in the USA.
Each concert is a carefully curated experience, featuring traditional pieces alongside contemporary compositions, showcasing the versatility and timelessness of Chinese instruments. Our performances are more than just entertainment; they are educational experiences designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.
See our performances here:
