Singing together is fun!
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 The Artists
Mr. Ying Zhang was the first conductor of Minhua Chorus. We warmly welcome him back to the chorus. Mr. Zhang is a well accomplished performer, composer, and conductor. When he was 12, he apprenticed to a traveling flute master in China. After more than 40 years as a professional musician from China, he has been recorded in the Register of Great Musicians, been awarded the title of First Class Composer, and has received the Wen Hua prize - China's highest national arts award. Since moving to the U.S. in 1993, he received a Bush Fellowship, McKnight Composer's Fellowship, Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship, Cultural Collaboration grant, and two commissions from the American Composer's Forum. He has performed throughout China, Asia, and the U.S. He performs for concerts, festivals, lecture-demonstrations at schools and colleges, and at parties and banquets. His audience varies greatly - from the Ted Mann Concert Hall to the Minnesota State Fair. He plays traditional Chinese music on a variety of woodwind instruments: xun, hulusu, bawu, qu di (bamboo flute), band di, kou di, xiao, mabu, pili, and gu di (turkey bone flute dating back 9,000 years). He plays music that comes from China's historical dynasties, and also music from the minority peoples of China with whom he has studied and lived. He also plays Peking Opera percussion, and the fo, a clay bowl percussion instrument with a 2,000 year history. His performance can include chanting and singing of ancient Chinese stories. He also recites poems of the great masters of China, in traditional song-style.
Qian received her voice training in both China and Canada with a number of reputed professors including Liu Ruo-e and Bian Jinzu of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Dr. Garry Gable of University of Saskatchewan. In 2001 Qian graduated with Great Distinction in voice performance from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Qian has had many opportunities holding concerts or participating in performances as a soloist in Canada, China and USA. Qian is a recipient of a number of SaskMusic grants in 2005-2007. She received the Creativity Award for Performing Arts by the Saskatchewan Arts Board in 2005 in Canada. Her CD "Melodies without Borders" was selected as a centerpiece at the Lieutenant Governor's Arts Awards in Canada, and was also nominated for the Classical Music Category for the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2007. Since moving to Minnesota, Qian has been active in the cultural activities in the Twin Cities. In January 2008, she was invited to collaborate with world-class Chinese musicians in America for the Chinese New Year Concert in Chicago. She was also awarded the Cultural Community Partnership grant for 2009 by the Minnesota Arts Board.
Copyright © 2001-2006 Minhua Chorus. All rigths reserved.
Designed by Paul Chen.
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