China Tour: "Homecoming"

I am so thrilled to share that my solo recital program, “Homecoming”, has been chosen as a winner for the Nordic Strings Academy’s International Music Competition for "Concert Tours to China"!

For 10-20 days, I will be touring with this program at major concert halls across China. This is such an exciting and special project for me - full of the passionate Russian repertoire closest to my heart as well as new commissions by two of my closest friends. I am incredibly honoured and grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to share this amazing music with a new audience!

More details on the project proposal below.

It is with great excitement that I present this solo piano recital program, “Homecoming” for the International China Tours Competition. As a soloist, leader, and creator of a variety of innovative arts projects, I am on a continuous mission to bring quality music of diverse styles and genres to the community, and thus this tour would be an invaluable opportunity for me to pursue my passion for advocating for the arts. More importantly, this specific project is a culturally and personally powerful exploration of my identity and heritage as a Chinese-born Canadian immigrant, ultimately paying tribute to both classical music and new music by young distinguished Chinese composers.

My goal as an artist is not defined by any one final product, it is a continuous stream of small successes in bringing quality and meaningful experiences to each community, each individual. “Homecoming” is a program that celebrates both the classical repertoire I grew up treasuring as a concert pianist, as well as special new commissions by talented young Chinese composers.

Composers Delong Wang and Guang Yang, who are graduates of the Beijing and Shanghai Conservatories respectively, have trained at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. They are both now internationally recognized young composers on the forefront of the classical contemporary music scene.

In China, classical music is thriving but contemporary music is still mostly undiscovered. To interest Chinese audiences in new music, I present the story of the ‘Homecoming’: the return of talented Chinese composers after years of training abroad to showcase their hard work, their achievements, and a deep-rooted love and yearning for their homeland. By putting China’s own young artists in the spotlight, this project appeals to both the new and nostalgic. Moreover, I can help bring Chinese composers into a more prominent position in the contemporary music scene - advocating their works not only in North America, but around the world. It’s a unique and innovative cultural exchange between east and west.

In the future, I aim to continue touring around Asia with my socially and culturally motivated projects, and thus this opportunity would be an important stepping stone towards building my network. This program will create a better connection between the classical music worlds in China and the west.

In the larger scheme of the music world, I aim to bring Chinese musicians and composers into a more active and prominent position in the contemporary music scene. This tour will promote and lead a new enthusiasm and appreciation for both classical and contemporary music across Asia. Personally, it is a way for me to reconnect with the land of my birth and share my multicultural experiences.