April 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
_______________________________________________
Chinese Fine Arts Society Celebrates
Asian American Heritage Month
in Chicago with the
17th Annual All Chinese Music
Concert
Presented by:
The Chinese Fine Arts Society
Featuring:
Abraham Stokman, Piano
Betti Xiang, Erhu
Claudia Cryer, Flute
David Cunliffe, Cello
Debbie Knowles, Percussion
Elena Kawazu, Violin
Katherine Chang, Piano
Tina Keitel, Percussion
Wen Ming Leung, Piano
And:
The Hakkanese Chorus Conducted by Lori Ho
Sunday, May 21, 2006
3:00 p.m.
at
The Chicago Cultural Center
Preston Bradley Hall
78 East Washington Street
Chicago
________________________________________________________
CHICAGO – As the 2006 Asian American Heritage month
arrives in Chicago, prepare to be dazzled by the Chinese Fine Arts Society’s
17th annual All Chinese Music Concert. On Sunday, May 21,
2006, at 3:00 p.m., the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall will
come alive with music that will transport its audience to another world.
The All Chinese Music Concert will feature acclaimed
musicians from around the world performing original compositions written by
prominent contemporary Chinese composers. Brought together through love
and respect for the rich cultural heritage of Chinese music, the musicians
will evoke both passion and beauty with their performance.
The concert will feature vocal performances by the
Hakkanese Chorus; “Yuan” for piano, cello, flute, erhu, and percussion by
Shaosheng Li; “Meditation, Cello and Piano Duet” by Bo Tshan Lee and
“Grace Through Music” by Frank Leung both for cello and piano; “Autumn
Moon on the Clam Lake” by Peixun Chen for piano; “Memories of Home, Suite
no. 1 for Piano” by Tyzen Hsiao; and select traditional Chinese solo pieces
for erhu and violin. Entrance to this event is open and free to the
public. Early arrival is highly recommended for this event, as the large
turn out typically results in standing room only for late comers.
For 25 years, the Chinese Fine Arts Society has nurtured the Chicago
public’s interest in Chinese cultural heritage through the use of music and
art forms to bridge the eastern and western cultures. Beginning as a
small group of parents wanting to create opportunities for their children to
learn more about Chinese culture, the group’s volunteers grew to the
multi-level non-profit organization it is today. From musical concerts,
art gallery shows, musical competitions to encourage learning of Chinese music
(Music Festival in Honor of Confucius), to world-wide competitions for
composers to find a way to bring a mythical Chinese hero to life via music
(Great Wall International Music Composition Competition); the Chinese Fine
Arts Society continues to make a positive cultural contribution to Chicago.
The Musicians:
Abraham Stokman
Abraham Stokman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he
began his piano studies at the age of six. He came to the United States
at the age of 12, when he was offered a scholarship from the Juilliard School
in New York City, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degree
with his teacher, Edward Steuermann. For five years, he served as a vocal
coach at the Juilliard opera department. Then in the ensuing years, he
proceeded to give solo and chamber concerts at the United States and Canada. In
1969, he moved to Chicago and became the artist-in-residence and assistant
professor at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University for six
years, and subsequently served as chairman of the piano department at the
American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.
Betti Xiang
Betti Xiang was born in Shanghai, China where her father,
Xiang Zuying, a renowned Erhu master, first introduced her to the Erhu. Ms.
Xiang publicly debuted as an Erhu soloist at the young age of 17 in Guangzhou,
China. For the following four years, Ms. Xiang was honored to present
more than fifty performances to both military troops and local residents
throughout China. In 1986, Ms. Xiang received the coveted Young
Artists’ award in both Shanghai and Beijing for outstanding solo artist. In
1996, Ms. Xiang embarked on her journey to establish a distinguished career in
America. After having been invited to perform at such distinctive venues
in the Chicago area, including the Ravinia International Music Festival, the
Kimmel Center, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall, Ms. Xiang was
recognized as an Erhu maestro, and performances at the New York Lincoln Center
and the Smithsonian Institute soon followed. Most recently, Ms. Xiang was
privileged to appear at the inaugural of Chicago’s Millennium Park, where
she was the guest artist at the Pritzker Pavilion performing the Erhu concerto
“Crouching Tiger,” composed by Tan Dun. Ms. Xiang also performs with
Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, and currently appears with her uncle,
Xiang Zuhua, on the CD recording of her late father’s music, Joy of
Countryside. Ms. Xiang has received the 2006 Master/Apprentice Award from
the Illinois Arts Council.
Claudia Cryer
Flutist Claudia Cryer, is currently principal flute with
the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta
Orchestra, which also serves as the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s orchestra. She
is a versatile studio musician who regularly records for Hope Publishing
Company of Carol Stream. In addition, she has been a chamber music coach
with the Midwest Young Artists program, and recently performed numerous
educational outreach programs with the ESO Woodwind Quintet. Ms. Cryer
has played with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Lake
Forest Symphony, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, New Black Repertory Ensemble, and
the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra; she enjoys a variety of music which is such an
important part of Chicago’s rich and diverse culture.
David Cunliffe
Cellist David Cunliffe began studying at the age of 9 in
his native England. Three years later he was chosen to receive a
scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. In 1984 Mr. Cunliffe
went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where he founded the
Argyll String Quartet, and was the recipient of the Terrance Weill and Leonard
Hirsch Quartet prizes, as well as the Lady Barbirolli Chamber Music Award. He
completed his studies at the International Yehudi Menuhin Music Academy in
Switzerland, where he studied with Radu Aldulescu and toured throughout Europe
with Yehudi Menuhin and the Camerata Lysy. In 1995 he was asked to join
the Balanescu Quartet, touring extensively to Australia, Europe and the United
States; during which he appeared frequently on radio and TV, including
featured performances on NPR and the BBC. He has served as Principal
cello with the RNCM Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, including performances
with BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish and Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestras. Mr.
Cunliffe can be heard on various recording labels including Enja and DMD. He
is currently on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago and a founding
member of the Lincoln Trio, ensemble-in-residence at the Music Institute. He
is also a founding member of the Camerata Chicago Orchestra.
Debbie Knowles
Debbie Knowles has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree
in Percussion Performance, both from Northwestern University. She is on
the faculties of the Music Institute of Chicago, the Lake Forest Symphony
Music School, and Lake Forest College. Ms. Knowles is the principal
percussionist of the Lake Forest Symphony and Light Opera Works in Evanston,
and has performed with many other orchestras including the Chicago Sinfonietta,
the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Symphony of the Shores, the Elgin
Symphony, and the Moscow Ballet Orchestra. She has played in pit
orchestras for many musicals. Ms. Knowles also played in groups backing
up entertainers like Tony Bennett and others. Ms. Knowles toured Japan
with the Belle Air Brass, performed on one of their CDs, and also played on
several CDs with the Millar Brass. Besides percussion, Ms. Knowles also
plays other instruments including the baritone saxophone and tuba.
Elena Kawazu
Elena Kawazu, 8 year old violinist, is a pupil of Sang
Mee Lee. Ms. Kawazu recently received Honorable Mentions in the Open
Junior String Division of the 2006 Walgreens National Young Artist
Competition. Ms. Kawazu won First Place in both the 2004 Youth and 2005
Junior I Division of the Chinese Fine Arts Society's Music Festival In Honor
of Confucius Violin Competition. She was also awarded an Honorable
Mention in the Musichorale Competition in 2004. Ms. Kawazu takes piano
lessons under the guidance of Emilio del Rosario. In her spare time, Ms.
Kawazu enjoys nature, math, reading, art, singing, chess, yoga, and playing
with her dog!
Katherine Chang
Katherine Jui Chang, born in Taiwan, received her first
piano lessons at the age of four, and has since moved on to the United States,
Europe and Russia for her continued musical studies. At the age of 13,
Ms. Chang made her orchestra debut performing the Haydn Piano Concerto in D
Major. Her appearances as soloist have taken her to the Weill Recital
Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Bruno Waltur Auditorium at Lincoln Center in New
York, the Rachmaninoff Hall in Moscow, the Teatro alla Scala di Milano in
Milan, the Smetana Hall in Prague, the Nieuwe Kerk Theatre in Amsterdam, the
Wiener Saal in Salzburg, and many other concert halls around the world. Here
in Chicago, in addition to solo performances at Orchestra Hall, Ganz Hall and
the Chicago Cultural Center, she has performed with the Oak Park Symphony
Orchestra, the Hyde Park Chamber Orchestra, and the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
She was a featured artist at the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, where
in celebration of Mozart’s bicentennial her performance was broadcast live
over WFMT Radio. Recent summers have taken her to the Salzburg
International Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, the Johannesen
International Music Festival Canada, and the Moscow International Summer Music
Festival; where she has performed as soloist, with chamber ensembles, and in
master classes. Ms. Chang has received Artist’s Diplomas from the
Eastman School of Music and the Moscow Conservatory.
Tina Keitel
Tina Keitel was born in Elgin, Illinois and attended high
school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. She received both a
bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Percussion Performance with a minor in
Art History from DePaul University. Her training also included eight
years with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she performed under the
direction of Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez and Sir George Solti. As
a freelance artist, Ms. Keitel performs with many orchestras and theaters in
the Chicagoland area including the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Grant Park
Orchestra, Lake Forest Symphony, the Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Sinfonietta,
Light Opera Works, Drury Lane Oak Brook, and the Elgin Symphony. She is a
strong advocate of new music, appearing regularly on the New Music DePaul
concert series, and performed several of John Eaton's operas as well as many
other projects. In 2000, Ms. Keitel became a core member of the Fulcrum
Point New Music Project which is "dedicated to presenting thematically
inspired programs that reinvigorate the concert experience through the
presentation of works influenced by jazz, latin, rock, literature, film and
theater." In the fall of 2003 Ms. Keitel performed in the Midwest
Premiere of the Philip Glass operas "The Sound of a Voice" and
"Hotel of Dreams" at the Court Theatre in Chicago.
Wen Ming Ling, accompanist, is a graduate of the
University of Minnesota Music School in piano performance. Currently she
is the Music Director of CFAS.
The Hakkanese Chorus
The Hakkanese Chorus was founded in 1995 by a group of
Hakkanese interested in singing Hakka folk music. With its conductor,
renowned soprano Lori Ho and piano accompanist Wen Ming Leung, the Chorus has
actively participated in many outreach programs, including annual performances
in the “Hai Hwa Arts and Music Festival,” “The Midwest Hakkanese
Association Chinese New Year Celebration,” and “The Westmont Folk
Festival,” The chorus has been invited to perform in Indianapolis by
the Hakkanese Indianapolis Association in 2003, also by the Toronto Hakkanese
Association in 2005. This is their first appearance in the Chinese Fine
Arts Society sponsored All Chinese Music Concert at the Chicago Cultural
Center’s Preston Bradley Hall.
Lori Ho
Mrs. Ho, Soprano/Conductor, graduated from the Music
Department of Shih-Chien University in Taiwan. She appeared in several
operas including "Madame Butterfly" and "Magic Flute"
while she was in Taiwan. Currently, she serves as the Music
Director/Conductor of seven community choruses in the Greater Chicago area. Ms.
Ho is a highly sought-after vocalist in performing the national anthem of the
Republic of China and the United States for festive occasions. She has
been invited as a soloist with both the Youth Symphony of DuPage the Chinese
Fine Arts Society's All Chinese Music Concert.
The Composers:
Bo Tshan Lee
Bo Tshan Lee was born on May 13, 1992, and is currently 13
years old and attending The Music School Attached to the Central Conservatory
of Music in Beijing. He began learning the piano at age 5 and began
composing at age 10. He tested into the Beijing Central Conservatory of
Music's Department of Composition at age 12 with the highest entrance score.
He composed “Meditation, Cello and Piano Duet” in 2005 for the Great Wall
International Composition Competition.
Shaosheng Li
Shaosheng Li is 17 years old and attending The Music
Attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He entered the
conservatory in 2001, and composed "Yuan" in 2005 for the junior
division of the Great Wall International Music Composition Competition. “Yuan,”
meaning the foundation of a wall, symbolizes the Great Wall of China, as well
as the pride of the Chinese in their many achievements.
This concert is sponsored in part by:
The Illinois Arts Council
The Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Cultural Division
The Chinese Cultural Center of TECO – Chicago
___________________________________________________________________
The Chinese Fine Arts Society (CFAS) was founded in 1984 as
a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of
the Chinese Cultural Arts. In Chicago’s culturally diversified society,
CFAS provides programs and activities that promote the understanding of
Chinese culture through music and other fine arts. By presenting
traditional Chinese music compositions by Chinese composers and performances
of Chinese music on western instruments, CFAS hopes to reach a greater number
of people and heighten their awareness of the richness of Chinese culture.
For more information on the Chinese Fine Arts Society,
please visit their website at
www.chinesefinearts.org
or contact them at info@chinesefinearts.org
The Chinese Fine Arts Society
Sherwood Conservatory Building
1312 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Ill 60605
312-427-6267x183
www.chinesefinearts.org
###