Members
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.
Sophia Catrambone
Sophia Catrambone immigrated to the United State from Vietnam in 1980. As a young girl she enjoyed listing to the sound of guzheng. She began formal lessons 3 years ago under the tutelage of Ms. Shin-Yi Yang. Sophia lives in Canton MA with her husband and two children.
Emily Chen
Emily Chen is a senior attending Bedford High School. She has been taking lessons from Shin-Yi Yang since the age of 10. From that point on, the guzheng became a major part of her life; bringing her into the Boston Guzheng Ensemble, and later, the GBCCA Music Ensemble as the primary guzheng player. She has won the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as the 2008 Anick Award for Musical Excellence from the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library. Her love of playing the guzheng spread to develop an affinity for Chinese culture. It has also allowed her to get in touch with her heritage and bring the beautiful sensation of song to her friends and family through music.
Karen Chen
Karen Chen is currently an 8th grader in Andrew Peabody Middle School. She has been playing guzheng for about 3 and a half years. She started playing as an after school program at the age of 9 at the Lexington Chinese School and started taking private lessons with Ms. Yang. Playing guzheng gives her a sense of the Chinese culture and its music, and she loves it. Besides guzheng, she also plays piano and dances and loves singing and reading in her free time.
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.
Cassie Huang
Music has always been an important part of Cassie Huang’s life and five years ago she decided to try the guzheng. Since then, she has joined the Boston Guzheng Ensemble and learned a lot about music and teamwork. In addition to playing the guzheng, she is a member of the Greater Boston Chinese Music Ensemble, and she has been playing the piano since the age of five. Cassie is a senior at Andover High School and indulges her nonmusical side by running track and cross country.
Serena Pang
Serena Pang is currently a freshman at Thayer Academy in Braintree and has been playing the guzheng about four years. Playing guzheng makes her feel like she is embracing the Chinese culture and learning more about her heritage. She enjoys playing and performing with this instrument as well as with piano. Besides performing, she also likes listening to music from this beautiful and melodic instrument as well as other traditional Chinese instruments. She is currently working with her school’s instrumental ensemble to make a reproduction of the song “Lion Dance” with her guzheng as well as with western instruments.
Anna Zhou
10 years old Anna is a 5th grader at Harrington School in Lexington. She has been enjoying playing Guzheng for 2 years. Anna is proud of having been exposed to rich Chinese culture, and is crazy about Chinese Kungfu movies. Anna loves swimming. She also plays piano and flute. Friends and teachers of Anna often describe her as "funny, nice, and sweet". Anna thinks herself as "a girl loves drawing smiley faces ". Anna also wants you to know she has a lovely younger sister Emme who plays dulcimer very well, and is her best buddy at home, they share one bedroom, often switch beds at night.
Lily Zhu
Lily Zhu is currently an eighth grader at Diamond Middle School in Lexington. Ever since she was very young, music has been her passion. When she first saw a guzheng at the age of 11, she was impressed by its elegance and graceful sound. After these several years of studying the guzheng, her love and enthusiasm for this beautiful instrument grows. In September of 2008, Lily won gold prize in the first annual Youth Poetry in Silk and Bamboo Annual Chinese Music Instrument Competition. In addition to the guzheng, Lily also plays piano, enjoys art, and plays flute in her school band.