Step into a world where tradition meets artistry, and ancient culture resonates with the busy life in New York City! China Institute in America cordially invites you to this monthly program for a mesmerizing evening of traditional Chinese music and the enchanting world of calligraphy.
Listen to the performance of the unique Chinese instruments, and feel the charm of Chinese music combined with practicing Chinese calligraphy with a master calligrapher. Take the chance to interact with our calligrapher, musicians and fellow cultural lovers too!
No previous experience of calligraphy is required. Ink, paper, and brush will be provided onsite. Join like-minded friends to enjoy tea, practice calligraphy, and listen to music. We look forward to a wonderful evening with you!
Refreshments will be served.
This program is in partnership with the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music.
This program is made possible through the generous donation of the Ng Family in honor of Mr. Ting Din Ng, former Chairman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolence Association of NY and lifelong supporter of Chinese culture and the arts.
This program is made possible through the support of the Chinese International Education Foundation, and generous supporters of China Institute in America.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Mr. He began studying calligraphy and brush painting very early on under the guidance of masters Wei Li and Jin Xing Jian. After relocating to the United States, he continued his studies with renowned masters of calligraphy and brush painting, including Yiu Yi Cheng, Yuan Li, and Yun Nam Zhu. He later received mentorship from Shek Yi Cheng, Rui Kang Chen, and San Shing Cheng.
In honor of his late teachers Yiu Yi Cheng and Yuan Li, and their dedication to Chinese painting, Mr. He devoted over 18 years to teaching in New York City. He remains actively engaged in promoting Chinese culture and has exhibited his work alongside other artists on numerous occasions. He is currently a member of the Association of Chinese Calligraphy in America.
Beitong Liu is an erhu player from Jilin, China. She graduated from the US-China Music Institute, where she studied erhu performance and global and international studies. In 2021, she was a soloist in "The Sound of Spring" Chinese New Year concert with The Orchestra Now (TŌN) and won the Bard Conservatory Concerto Competition. She made her debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2023 with TŌN, conducted by maestro Jindong Cai. In 2024, Beitong won the Singapore Star International Arts and Culture Festival Erhu Competition First Prize. She is also a member of the Bard East-West Ensemble and Bright Moon Band, where she explores new sounds, including Chinese jazz and improvisation.
Yixin Wang started playing guzheng at the age of three in Shanghai, China. She won her first competition at the age of seven. After moving to Houston in 2014, she joined the Houston Traditional Chinese Music Group and the Texas Philharmonic Folk Orchestra, and became a board member in 2017. Since then Yixin has performed at TEDx Sugarland, Chinese Embassy in Houston, NYC and Washington DC, China Institute, among other universities, music festivals and Galas. She held the first traditional Chinese benefit concert in the Katy, Texas area in 2017. In 2019, she won the concerto competition of Bard Conservatory of Music. In 2021, she premiered the guzheng concerto Awakening Light, composed by Dr. Xinyan Li and conducted by maestro Jindong Cai. It is the first guzheng piece to use the modulation bridges invented by suona virtuoso and instrument inventor Yazhi Guo for richer musical expressions. She is currently a student in the US-China Music Institute of Bard College Conservatory of Music, and an active member of the Bard East West Ensemble.
Xiaoyan Luo is a senior in the double-degree program at the Bard Conservatory, majoring in pipa performance and film production. She participates in various performances both on and off campus, including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Consulate General of China, where she has been well received for her expressive and delicate performing style. She was honored to be selected as a winner of the Bard Conservatory Concerto Competition in November of 2023.
Hengjian Zhang was born in Weifang, Shandong Province, China. He developed a passion for music from an early age and began studying the sheng under the guidance of his first teacher, Pei Dazheng. In 2020, he was admitted to the Tianjin Conservatory of Music with outstanding results, where he studied sheng performance under Professor Dong Qing and tutor Chen Shuo, significantly improving his skills. During his time at the conservatory, Hengjian performed with both the Ethnic Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, gaining valuable experience through various performances. In the fall of 2024, he was admitted to the US-China Music Institute at Bard College, where he will continue to deepen his studies in music performance and academic research.
Hiu-Man Chan is in his second year as a student of the Master of Arts in Chinese Music and Culture at Bard College, where he studies Suona and Guanzi. Originally from Hong Kong. He has also been a freelance musician of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Macau Chinese Orchestra. Chan achieved a Silver Award in the Senior Professional Category of the 4th Singapore Nanyang International Music Competition for Suona and graduated from Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he pursued dual specializations in Suona and Guanzi. Chan has often performed all over the world, having covered Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, USA and Bahamas.
