Biography
Cindy(Zichan) Yang, a renowned Guzheng, Guqin performer, performing artist and professional Guzheng teacher. Cindy currently resides in the City of Ottawa, Canada. She began Guzheng discipline at a very young age. Her principle teachers were Guzheng performer Fan Wu and Nani Yang (a distinguished Professor of Guzheng art and education at Shengyang Conservatory of Music.) As a soloist, Cindy's intimate, expressive and passionate performances have earned her numerous awards in provincial and national competitions in China.
Cindy started her performing career at the age of 13. In 1993, Cindy was selected to host the Children's Art TV program for Liaoning provincial TV Station. Since then, she frequently performed as soloist in many concerts that were also broadcasted by provincial and national TV stations throughout China. Cindy has also recorded TV and movie soundtracks. She travels extensively on performing tours in China, Southeast Asia, Japan as well as in North America. Her performances have been described as "Transpiring the spirit of traditional Chinese culture through Guzheng music".
Cindy started Guzheng teaching when she was studying at Shenyang Conservatory of Music. She taught in a number of music schools including The Arts Institute for Youth. Her unique teaching method is well accepted by students and their parents. In year 2000, Cindy founded her own music school, Tianyi Guzheng Music for Young Children, in the Province of Shenyang. Cindy continues to have involvement with the school after moving to Canada.
In 2000, Cindy successfully held her own soloist concerts in Beijing, Dalian etc cities. These concerts have been recorded and published in CD and DVD. She also participated in the DVD production of Guzheng Conservatory Level Examination Curriculum as a performance demonstrator.
In 2002, after moving to Canada, Cindy has been very active in Chinese and other communities. She gives performances to art festivals, Chinese festival events, universities, museums as soloist and also as a member in ensembles with western musicians throughout the national capital. She is highly praised and well popular by audiences. These audiences included: the former Governor General - Adriene Clarkson, Canadian Premiers, Ottawa Mayor - Bob Chiarelli, Senator Poy , as well as the Ambassador of China in Canada, etc. Many broadcasting stations, television stations, media interviewed Cindy.
In the same year "Ottawa Tianyi Guzheng Studio" was established. The Studio has been attracting all age groups and different cultural background of people all over the nation capital. Cindy often encourages and coaches her students to perform for multicultural activities, seniors, fund raising charity and different community activities. Cindy also teaches at various private schools.
Since 2003, Cindy has had many invitations to perform at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and National Art Gallery of Canada, representing Chinese traditional culture as a valuable ingredient of Canada's multiculturalism.
In 2005, Cindy recorded her personal performance CD in Ottawa. This recording includes solo Guzheng pieces of Chinese and Western music as well as Guzheng with Western Orchestra ensembles. To help her teaching, Cindy has also produced a number of Guzheng DVD demonstrations performed by some of her "Ottawa Tianyi Guzheng Studio" students.
In 2006, Cindy published Yang Zichan Guzheng Curriculum in Chinese/English version. On March 23, Cindy was invited to perform at the welcoming event in the honor of Mr. Mark Rowswell. The event was hosted by the Ambassador of China together with the City of Ottawa Government. In the official ceremony on Parliament Hill on June 22, where Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized for the Head Tax once applied to Chinese immigrants, Cindy was also invited to perform and was interviewed by the media.
Today, Cindy continues to be the Principle and Director of "Ottawa Tianyi Guzheng Studio". She often travels back to China to help and direct students. It is her wish of flourishing the art of Guzheng in eastern and western.