Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Zhou.
Hi Annie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Performer-Composer and my primary instrument is Guzheng, the 21-string traditional Chinese instrument. Originating more than 2000 years ago in ancient China, the history of this instrument could be traced back to the Spring Autumn War period, it has a beautiful timbre and is among the most popular and most played instrument in Chinese and Asian countries. Guzheng is not any of those common musical instruments you see every day, it is rare and unique, and most importantly, there are not many people could master it. That’s why I feel the responsibility to bring this instrument to the stage, to let more audience hear it. I’ve been performing shows and concerts with my instrument all around the U.S. and the world, including the 61st and the 62nd Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration, the 30th Qingdao International Beer Festival, the Pacific Symphony Chinese New Year Celebration, the NAMM Music Show, Shanghai Music Show and so on. I also perform at different events, from the East Coast to the West Coast, from cultural events to weddings, corporation events, hotel and casino events, my music had been heard by many new ears throughout the journey.
I also write original music and do recording sessions, my compositions and recordings have been heard by more than 100,000 people and used by thousands of video makers and filmmakers. You may also find my recordings of Chinese traditional music, pop songs, and original music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other music streaming platforms. I am a Mandarin/English bilingual Guzheng teacher as well, always enjoy teaching students how to play this beautiful Chinese instrument, and my students are from small children to adults. It makes me so happy to see their progress!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This Chinese folk instrument is not a mainstream instrument in the United States and it is rarely heard by people here. The biggest challenge is that there are not many chances for Chinese traditional instruments to stand out, although we are very busy during the Chinese New Year season, the market for us is still small compared to other Western instruments. In fact, the sound of Guzheng is simply mesmerizing and has the magic to pull people in immediately. I have been approached many times after my performances by people who were grateful to hear such a wonderful instrument. But I know there is still a long way to go before the Guzheng and other Chinese instruments become popular in the United States and I will do my best to let people hear them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m very excited to share my newest original song: “Out of the Blind” with you, it’ll be out January 11th, 2023 on music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc., it’s an upbeat song I wrote for my instrument Guzheng and there are some arrangements of drums, piano, guitar and so on. This song is about my journey, and as the title says, the power in the music that wants to break through the lows, come out of the daze and gain a new light.
And below are a list of my published music recordings:
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS BY ANNIE ZHOU
West Lake Wander, 2022, Guzheng solo with arrangements.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1YQBGQLNDrSlygsd8xo0Ac?si=f_Bo4zfpTkeI04HIKSFGGQ
Annie Zhou: Works for Strings I, 2021
https://open.spotify.com/album/1GUHaOuDX0AD8JlT7Qawza?si=B8mduhtzSnOUCa_6JKc0Og
1. Countryside Rhapsody (String Quartet)
2. Evils Dance Before Dawn (Cello and Bass)
3. Last Solitary (Cello)
4. Winter in You (Violin, Cello)
Amare Girls, 2021, For Guzheng, Pipa, Violin, and Flute.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3S3ipwOBFiT29kmHyvPSEI?si=wRSI-rMKQxWC9nXmmEP1Hw
Electric Guzheng Improvisation #21, 2021, Electric Guzheng solo improvisation with arrangements.
https://open.spotify.com/track/2tjs1SXrhhPaEdUjBWvQ4F?si=220ff1019a0e4db2
Maybe Wondering, 2020, For Guzheng, Piano, and Cello.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0NYxULxnRBMtfneLuXHnhX?si=vTZv6iMDRTSAWNzbJRhLgw
Contemplation, 2020, Guzheng solo.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7DoUgPaoTz6YAXhdgCUGDp?si=1veLS17NSDGY1rDCGRBXjQ
Guzheng Improvisation: Blue Crush, 2020, Guzheng solo improvisation.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1N711e0bEYyzN5HvrQF0Yd?si=DXwITRUHRiSZkYAqFxSUhg
Unsettled, 2019, Guzheng solo with arrangements.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3Xjpfue9MypFb1OGYzzx2J?si=dPTUaJwTT5aS52zAWVxwlg
Lunar New Year Overture, 2019, Guzheng solo with arrangements.
https://open.spotify.com/album/0nlYkTEGdvsN0YHdQgvDXN?si=xjGZgChrQuWzzmUVBUjwFQ
Moon Dance, 2017, Guzheng solo.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6mc2uPkvVwmN7S8XbkUalQ?si=q5t_D6IITpSgTGsKRm6XKw
Raining Dream, 2017, Guzheng solo with arrangements.
https://open.spotify.com/album/3hY0O8ZFaN5RQ0Rv0fd2Tw?si=FTKguebvSBeZSKYjbnvnEQ
Spring Sprouts, 2017, Guzheng solo.
https://open.spotify.com/album/6J7hz6NxsbIzi84cY0EG6k?si=-GczIb4RSXaBk2M9UZkR-g
TRADITIONAL MUSIC RECORDINGS
Pentacy: Traditional Guzheng Music, 2021, This album contains eight pieces Chinese traditional and folk music
https://open.spotify.com/album/66nigpHANxygwWn40fJCo5?si=WM99KOR-T22p5jJU_hWgWw
1. High Mountain and Flowing Water
2. Tears of the Imperial Concubine Xiang
3. Water Lily
4. Fisherman’s Song at Dusk
5. Autumn Thoughts by the Dresser
6. Dance of the Yao Tribe
7. Lyrics of the Western Chamber
8. Spring River Flower Moon Night
Pentacy: Traditional Guzheng Music II, 2022, This album contains eight pieces Chinese traditional and folk music:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3aGxjSHhTrHjtmkuvup9xF?si=dwM8y1KNSvCYYuZ0kwkKFQ
1. Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake
2. Guangling Strains
3. The Moon over the West River
4. Lady Zhaojun’s Grudge
5. Pink Lotus
6. Dreams of the Secular Life
7. Autumn Moon over the Han Palace
8. Three Verses on the Yang Pass
COVER SONG RECORDINGS
Xue Hua Piao Piao, 2021 https://open.spotify.com/album/32nvwjAhkef8XnqdWyC6UI?si=kXtleqlpRmCybMZ8_xFJcg
Ye Lai Xiang, 2021 https://open.spotify.com/album/3ehiEAleFtxrSm6YHnbczi?si=cznbdq4lS0SOTKnCM74CfA
Wang Chun Feng, 2021 https://open.spotify.com/album/2Rn8NsCPBn2mDOzqMnafJw?si=zjep3L6_RfKYm6om8eZd1g
Mariage D’Amour, 2022 https://open.spotify.com/album/06Ewwr2sEV3UiTHwjI50Ik?si=8Z1fbMZKRvGsnX4aMzltQw
My Grateful Heart, 2022 https://open.spotify.com/album/5VpC6gXQe4DK2bhLgR7pMn?si=3xAVw-5QRbqiEKSF91tsPw
You may find more details on my works on concerts, shows, and event performances on my website: https://www.anniezhouguzheng.com/performance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anniezhouguzheng.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/AnnieZhouGuzheng
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnnieZhouGuzheng
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/AnnieZhou
Image Credits
Copyright: Annie Zhou, All Rights Reserved Annie Zhou 1: photographer: Welkin Tang New Release_Out of the Blind: photographer: Nick Hughes IMG_4654: photographer: Welkin Tang IMG_8640: The Music Center
