Classical and Modern Yangqin (Dulcimer): Chinese Traditional Music Concert

The Carolina Asia Center and the Chinese Language Program at UNC-Chapel Hill are pleased to welcome a Chinese yangqin performer, Ms. Xiaonan Sun, and Crescent Chinese Music Studio from Research Triangle Park to present Chinese folk music featuring the yangqin as the main instrument.  Ms. Sun and her band members will present a repertoire of ten Chinese traditional music pieces and also provide a brief overview of the historical development of the yangqin (dulcimer), a percussion-stringed instrument and its significant role in the Chinese traditional musical instruments.  The program promises to be educational, informative and delightful!

The performance program includes the following pieces:

1. Beautiful Africa
2. Yellow River
3. Für Elise
4. Bamboo Forest Full Of Green
5. Flight of the Bumblebee
6. GuZheng (guest performer)
7. Song of Water (guest performer)
8. Music pieces from movies, played with the instrument “mini-Yangqin”
– Always with Me
– Doraemon
9. The Misty Rain of Jiangnan
10. Horse Racing

Lead Performer:
Xiaonan Sun on the yangqin (dulcimer)

Special guest:
Yanyan Kong on the erhu (two strings)

Guest performers:
Ziyue Peng on the erhu (two strings)
Xiaochun Lu on the Chinese flute
Yu-Hsiang Hung on the djembe
Zimo Zhang on the dulcimer
Amy Chen & Samantha Chen on guzheng

About the performer: Xiaonan Sun

Xiaonan Sun’s musical journey began during her childhood, as she delved into mastering the hammered dulcimer. She refined her craft at the Music Department of Shandong Arts College, earning a Bachelor’s degree. Her specialization in dulcimer performance was cultivated under the guidance of Prof. Cheng Hui-Qing, a renowned figure from the esteemed Northern School of Music. Xiaonan also pursued a minor in ethnic percussion.

After completing her studies, Xiaonan became a member of the esteemed Beijing Red Poppy Ladies Percussion ensemble. Throughout her time there, she was fortunate to travel to over 20 countries, where she shared her abilities in nearly 300 performances on stages around the world. These included moments like the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony of the 2009 Winter Universiade, and the dedication ceremony of the US Embassy in Beijing.

In 2014, Xiaonan Sun embarked on her journey to the United States, a pivotal step that marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career. In 2014, she became a part of the Carolina Chinese Orchestra. In 2017, she assumed the role of Artistic Director within the Crescent Chinese Music Band. Since 2019, Xiaonan has had the privilege of sharing her musical expertise as a guest musician with the Chinese Ensemble of Duke University.

About the performer: Yanyan Kong

Yanyan Kong was the Silver Medalist of the Chinese Music “Golden Bell” Award, a high-level overseas talent of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, and the Vice President of the Huqin Professional Committee of Zhejiang National Orchestral Society. Over the years, she has devoted herself to the promotion of Chinese music around the world, and has been invited to hold solo concerts and lectures in Europe and the United States.

About the Crescent Chinese Music Studio

Crescent Chinese Music Studio is a non-profit organization established in the North Carolina RTP area. Its mission is to promote Chinese music, serve and enrich community cultural life. The studio includes Chinese musical instruments such as dizi, pipa, erhu, guzheng, yangqin, and zhongruan, as well as Western musical instruments such as piano and guitar. It also uses pop music bands and other Western musical elements to play pop music, new folk music, and Chinese traditional music.