Studio Classes
Fall 2023 Registration is Now Open!
Classes start on September 25, 2023.
This Fall, China Institute offers studio classes in the areas of traditional Chinese art including calligraphy, brush painting, as well as meditation classes including tai chi and qigong.
Our classes are not only designed to improve the tactile experiences and haptic perception of the students, but they also focus on enhancing students’ mental and physical strength that multiple researches have shown to provide long-term health benefits.
“Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren’t in top shape or the best of health.” – Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School
“Chinese calligraphic handwriting (CCH) has demonstrated a new role in health and therapy. Meanwhile, meditation is an traditional and effective method for coping with stress and staying healthy. This study compared the effectiveness of CCH and meditation as distinctive and parallel stress reduction interventions.” – National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information
All classes at China Institute are conducted and taught by accredited instructors internationally-renowned in their respective field of training. Browse below for detailed class descriptions and instructor bios.
Available Courses
China Institute will continue to provide online Chinese Brush Painting via Zoom. The instructor Ms. Sungsook Setton will employ a flexible and creative approach to teach her virtual Brush Painting class, integrating group instruction and individual tutoring.
This class provides training in the fundamentals of traditional brush painting, its principles, techniques, subject matters and styles. Themes covered include landscapes, birds-and-flowers, insects, fish, and others. Students are trained to master brushstrokes and taught the skills of capturing the essence of forms.
- Instruction and discussion.
- Communication with instructor for commentary on individual practice.
- The class will use a combination of communication tools, including Zoom, linked to a camera, recorded videos and email correspondence for individual guidance, etc.
- The instructor will provide the zoom meeting information, as well as a brief introduction on how to use Zoom.
To watch a demo of the class, click here.
Beginner/Low Intermediate:
Friday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
September 29 – December 8 (No Class November 24)
Intermediate:
Wednesday, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
September 27 – December 6 (No Class November 22)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$360 member / $400 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Registration
Calligraphy is the art of writing Chinese characters. Students are taught how to use the brush and given an artistic and etymological introduction to China’s system of writing, which is an important key to understanding and appreciating Chinese art, history, and culture. Students learn and practice basic brush strokes and characters in a meditative, relaxed atmosphere. Classes often begin with a demonstration, followed by time for individual attention, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Knowledge of Chinese or brush technique is not necessary. Materials are supplied for the first class only.
Class Schedule:
Friday, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
September 29 – December 8 (No Class November 24)
10 sessions (20 hours)
$360 members / $400 non-members
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Maximum Number of Students: 7
Registration
Through a series of gentle movements, Tai Chi can greatly improve circulation, flexibility, and endurance. It is also a great way to relieve stress, tension, and aggravation accumulated from our busy daily life. This course teaches the philosophy and practice of Yang-style Tai Chi : a short form of sixty postures developed by Grandmaster William C.C. Chen. Intermediate students will learn the long form of the Yang style, which develops core strength.
Class Schedule:
Friday, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
September 29 – December 8 (No Class November 24)
10 sessions (10 hours)
$260 members / $300 non-members
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Registration
“Dao (or Tao) follows what is natural.” 道法自然 (From Dao-de Jing, 《道德经》, Chapter 25)
Without knowing how to be natural and be at ease 自在, one cannot glimpse the “Dao”– the “Way”: harmony with the natural and balanced order of the universe. One must first experience harmony and balance within oneself to live in harmony with the outside world.
Only in a calm and clear state can we live in the present moment with joy and make better decisions. In this course, participants will learn to practice calm-abiding meditation, starting with body relaxation and gradually letting go of any subtle holding in the body and mind. Participants will also train to rest their minds for clarity through practice of various focal points. Throughout the course, a special form of Qigong (气功), the Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade (Baduanjin 八段錦) will be taught. It is a set of medical Qigong with eight movements designed to improve overall health. These movements will work on internal organs and meridians in the entire body. The instruction will focus on enhancing spinal fluidity and the silken quality of the motion to create a greater flow of Qi (energy, 气). In addition, Standing Qigong (Zhan Zhuang 站桩）& basic Taichi movements will be introduced as well. This course develops harmony and balance within oneself for people of all ages.
Class Schedule:
Thursday, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
October 5 – Nov. 30 (No class on Nov. 23)
8 sessions (8 hours)
$260 member / $300 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Maximum Number of Students: 10
Registration
Click here to meet our studio class instructors.
Music Classes
Fall 2023 Registration is Now Open!
Classes start on September 25, 2023.
Guqin 古琴
The Guqin, regarded by Chinese as the most elegant of all their musical instruments, produces delicate music from seven strings. With a 3,000-year history, the Guqin has deep roots in Chinese culture, long being associated with Confucius, self-cultivation, scholarship, philosophy, and poetry. Favored by the elite as an elegant pastime, the Guqin was also played as a means to attain calm, nurture virtue, and promote longevity. The subtle tones of the Guqin are realized by sophisticated and elegant methods of fingering. While playing, the interaction of the two hands creates a harmonious choreography, a visual pleasure like a ballet of the fingers.
Recently the Guqin has attained renewed popularity because of its charismatic playing at the opening of the Beijing Olympics and recognition by the United Nations as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. It is featured in the theme music of several popular TV series. In addition to the fingering technique and reading notation, the aesthetic and cultural aspects of the Guqin will be taught.
成人古琴班介绍： 古琴有三千年历史， 是中国音乐史上最古老优雅的乐器。古代文人必修的四艺 “琴棋书画” 就以古琴为首，与哲学、修身、诗歌交相辉映，因此备受重视。古人认为古琴是音乐，同时也是道。所以它除了作为音乐来看待之外，还紧扣着传统的哲学和美学思想。作为中国文人士大夫的精致文化，古琴有一套完整的美学体系和弹奏的审美习惯。历代琴书均对古琴音乐的风格、指触、操缦的环境、琴声的美等作出详尽的描述，形成了古琴独特的审美理想和情调。
自从 2008 年在北京奥运会亮相后，古琴热的旋风随即在各地刮起。几套在中国热播的电视剧《三生三世十里桃 花》、《那年花开月正圆》、《大鱼海棠》 、最近的《陈情令》及张艺谋的电影《影》均以古琴作主题音乐，使其越来越为大众认识和弹奏。 这堂古琴体验课面向不需任何音乐经验的初学者，学习识谱、弹奏基本指法及小曲。完成课程后学生可以弹奏传统曲目《耕薪钓渭》、《秋风词》及流行曲《沧海一 声笑》。 体验课也会讲授古琴的礼仪（焚香、正容、冥想、调息）、历史、美学及其文化内涵。
Click here for student testimonial and here to watch instructor Mingmei Yip explain her philosophy in teaching guqin.
Available Courses
This Beginner course is designed for adults who have not studied the Guqin before. The class will explain Guqin tablature (notation), basic fingerings, and the three tone colors: open strings, pressed tones, and harmonics. Following the introduction of these fundamentals, students will learn to read tablature (notation), practice some simple exercises, then learn two to three short pieces: “Immortals’ Chant”, the traditional piece “Autumn Wind”, and the modern piece “Laughter above the Turquoise Sea”. History, aesthetics of the Guqin and its cultural aspects will be presented.
初级班：面向不需任何音乐经验的初学者。 初级班课程包括认识减字谱、左右手基本指法（吟、猱、抹、挑、勾、剔、绰、注）及散、泛、按三种音色。把握以上的基础后将学识“读谱”、练习曲、然后弹奏小曲“仙翁操”、传统琴曲“秋风词”与流行曲“沧海一声笑”。除技巧外，也会讲授古琴的历史、美学及其文化内涵。
Sunday, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
October 1 – December 17 (No class on October 22 & Nov. 26)
10 Sessions (15 hours)
Tuition: $600 member / $640 non-member
Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $30
* Instruments will be provided for in-class instruction.
* Maximum Number of Students: 6
Registration
This Intermediate class is for students who have completed the Beginner class. Students will learn to read more advanced tablatures (notation), correct hand postures, and more complex fingerings (separate, advance and return, back and return, lift up, knock, push out, etc.). Two or more intermediate-level pieces will be taught, including: “Remembering Playing the Flute on the Phoenix Terrace”, “Lament on Antiquity” and “Moon over Mount Guan”. In addition to fingering techniques, Guqin aesthetics and its cultural aspect will be presented. Students who have learned the Guqin before at other venues are welcome to join this class.
中级班：凡完成初级班的学生均可以上中级班。课程包括深入对减字谱的认识、继续学习左右手不同指法如分开、进复、退复、虚上、带起、罨、推出等、及学习“凤凰台上忆吹箫”、“慨古引”、“关山月”等两到三首中级曲目。也将较深入讲授古琴的历史、美学及其文化内涵。中级班也欢迎曾学过古琴的插班生。
Sunday, 12:00 -1:30 PM
October 1 – December 17 (No class on October 22 & Nov. 26)
10 Sessions (15 hours)
Tuition: $600 member / $640 non-member
Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $30
* Instruments will be provided for in-class instruction.
* Maximum Number of Students: 6
The class is Full. Please email Tina Fang at tfang@chinainstitute.org to be placed on the waitlist.
Registration
About the Instructor
Mingmei Yip
Mingmei Yip, PhD in musicology from the University of Paris (Sorbonne) on a full scholarship from the French Government. A master performer on the Qin, she has given lectures and performances at venues such as Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic, Columbia University, Oxford University, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Beijing University, the University of Paris, Amsterdam University, Oberlin Conservatory, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the China Institute in New York. Mingmei has served as consultant for Beijing’s Chinese Qin Association 北京中国古琴会, director for Chinese Kun Opera and Guqin Research Association 中国古琴昆剧研究会理事, artistic consultant for New York Cultural Art Association, as well as on the academic board of the Chengdu International Qin Conference.
Also a writer, Mingmei has published fourteen books, with two on the qin. Her latest being her 7th novel The Witch’s Market (Kensington Books) which received a glowing review from the New York Times. She wrote columns for seven major newspapers and has appeared on over 50 TV and radio programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and the United States.
Mingmei is also accomplished as a painter and calligrapher. A one-person show of her paintings of Guan Yin (the Chinese Goddess of Compassion) and calligraphy was held at the New York Open Center Gallery in SoHo in 2002. Mingmei was lecturer and senior lecturer (associate professor) of music at Chinese University of Hong Kong and Baptist University respectively, and in 2005, an International Institute of Asian Studies fellow in Holland researching on the qin. She has taught qin playing and calligraphy at two major Hong Kong Universities.
Click here to listen to Guqin audio.
The Raven’s Night Cry (乌夜啼), a celebrated Guqin piece from Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) by Mingmei Yip
Pipa 琵琶
The pipa, or Chinese lute, is an ancient instrument that is both elegant and playful, charming, and adaptable to both traditional and modern sounds. The origins of the pipa date back to the Han dynasty, about 2,000 years ago, when a similar type of stringed instrument was brought into China from Persia via the Silk Road. It has enjoyed wide popularity throughout its long history, especially during the Tang dynasty, and now again in our own time.
The pipa has four strings on a pear-shaped body and fretted neck. It is played by plucking and strumming much like a guitar, but is held upright with the base on the lap and the neck at the player’s shoulder.
Learning the pipa introduces the student to a wealth of tunes and an exciting solo repertoire. Pipa can also be played in Chinese instrument orchestras and ensembles, and has found its way into world music ensembles in recent years.
No musical experience necessary. Instruments are provided for in-class instruction and are available to rent at a small fee.
Click here to watch a clip of pipa performance by Instructor Zhou Yi
Available Courses
This beginner online course designed for adults will teach the basics of the pipa: fundamental techniques, Chinese notations, scales, and phrase structures. Students will also learn how Chinese language, history, and culture are manifested through classical music. Some historical information revolving around pipa will also be touched upon, such as the history of pipa and its major schools. Fingering techniques include “tan, tiao, lun” (plucking, tremolo) for the right hand and “tui, la, yin, rou” (various vibratos, pitch changing, and string-bending) for the left hand. After completing all levels, students will be expected to play short traditional and modern pieces, such as Ancient Tunes of Yingzhou 瀛洲古调 and White Snow in Spring 阳春白雪. For interested students, singing along is also a skill to be practiced.
To participate the class online, students must have a Pipa.
Class Schedule and Tuition
Sunday, 12:30 – 2:30 PM
October 1 – December 3 (No Class October 29 and November 5)
8 sessions (16 hours)
$640 member / $680 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Maximum Number of Students: 6
Registration
This online course is for intermediate students who are seeking an advanced skill level. Students will learn to compare the difference of imperial court, traditional and folk music, gain knowledge of pipa’s performance aesthetics of civil style, and understand the historical background of pipa’s famous repertoire. Some masterpieces will be touched upon, such as Spring, River, Flower, Moon and Night 春江花月夜. After finishing, students will confidently perform in front of an audience and get performance opportunities to join a professional group.
To participate the class online, students must have a Pipa.
Class Schedule and Tuition
Sunday, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
October 1 – December 3 (No Class October 29 and November 5)
8 sessions (16 hours)
$640 member / $680 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Maximum Number of Students: 6
Registration
This course is for students who are seeking a more exceptional skill level. Students will learn a masterpiece of pipa’s martial style, Ambushing from Ten Sides 十面埋伏. Besides numbered notation and staff notation in modern compositions, the traditional Gongche notation 工尺谱 will also be presented in class. After completing the level, students may perform as a soloist in a formal performance venue.
To participate the class online, students must have a Pipa.
Class Schedule and Tuition
Sunday, 9:30 – 11:30 AM
October 1 – December 3 (No Class October 29 and November 5)
8 sessions (16 hours)
$640 member / $680 non-member
(plus a $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Maximum Number of Students: 6
Registration
