May 2, 2009
Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra Concert

Presented by the Monroe Cultural and Arts Commission
Featuring
Yang Yi, Chinese Guzheng Master
Wennie Nai-Yueh Niu, Soprano
Amy Zhang, 17-year-old Clarinetist

Program
He Zhan Hao Regretted Separation
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"
Weber Concerto No. 1 in F minor

Return to 2008-09 Season

Yang Yi, Chinese Guzheng Master is recognized as a foremost Guzheng master in the world, described by the New York Times as “fascinating, surprising and extraordinarily beautiful",“extraordinarily fantastic, intensive and passionate." by the West German News, and “She really sets the instrument on fire," by the Daily Record, NJ . A winner of International Chinese Instruments Competition and numerous awards, Yang Yi is a highly acclaimed guzheng virtuoso, distinguished guzheng educator and lecturer. She has been profiled in music documentary programs on radio and TV here and abroad. Yang Yi was a faculty at the China Conservatory of music, where she graduated. She has performed as a soloist with the most renowned Chinese Music Groups such as Chinese National Orchestra, China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, China National Song & Dance Ensemble, China National Opera House, and Beijing Song & Dance Ensemble.

As a soloist, Yang Yi has toured extensively throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., and performed in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall (UK), Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal (Germany), Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Ms. Yang has world premiered many new composition of renowned composers such as Chen Yi, Tan Dun, Lutz-Werner Hesse, Lee Tzyy-sheng, and Zhou QinRu. Born in Nanking, Yang Yi studied under gushing master Qui Da Cheng at the prestigious China Conservatory of Music. She was a winner of the 1989 International Chinese Instruments Competition and numerous other awards in China before coming to the United States.

Amy Zhang, a native of New York City, is a junior at Watchung Hills Regional High School, and has been studying Clarinet for 7 years. She is a student of Deborah Gers. Amy has won first place in the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Artist competition for woodwinds and was a national finalist at the Music Teachers National Association Woodwind competition. Amy is the concertmaster of her high school Wind Ensemble. She is also a member of the New Jersey All-State Symphonic Band and the 2009 thirteen-state All-Eastern Honors Band, with which she performed in Rhode Island. Amy has also appeared as a soloist in Toronto, Canada, Pittsburgh, and across New Jersey. As a member of the All American Youth in Concert, Amy has performed in Italy. Amy has performed around her community in nursing homes, churches and outdoor concerts. Amy is an active soccer player. She is also the President of the Cancel Cancer Club. Her favorite subjects are Government and Politics and United States History. She loves to work with children, and is a ZAMbassador in the Rutgers Zimmerli Art Museum. Amy Zhang encourages everyone to learn a musical instrument!

Wennie Nai-Yueh Niu, graduated from the National Taiwan Normal University. Ms. Niu received a Masters degree and a vocal performance degree from the Northwestern University. In addition to numerous famous voice masters, she also worked with Jannet Bookspan and Joan Dornamann, coaches of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Ms Niu has performed frequently in Chicago, New Jersey, and New York. She has played major roles in ‘The King and I’, ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, ‘Don Giovanni’, Amal and the Night Visitors’, ‘La Boheme’, ‘Rigoletto’, ‘Hansel and Gretel’, and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. She has received much acclaim from her many solo recitals. Niu’s choral conducting included those at the National Taiwan Normal University, the National Tsing Hua University, the Tan Chiang University, the Hsin Chu Teacher’s College, the Joy Chorale in Chicago, the Happy Singers and the Happy Junior in Princeton, the Joy Heart, and the Chinese MusicVoices in New Jersey. She is dedicated to the promotion of music to the community and to the younger generation.