Today we’d like to introduce you to Liting (Annie) Zhou.
Annie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Annie Zhou. Guzheng Artist, Guzheng Instructor, Vice Chairman of SINO-US Chinese Musician Association. The way I found my true passion was seemingly a coincidence, but it was really destiny. Spending my childhood in mainland China, I have always been deeply touched by traditional Chinese culture. The traditional Chinese instrument Guzheng immediately grasped my interest when I first saw a master playing it on TV. Since then I’ve dedicated myself to learning this instrument with firm resolution.
After coming to the United States, I was invited to join several major Chinese bands and a Chinese orchestra. Devoting myself in promoting and integrating Guzheng in the United States, I effortlessly perform, collaborate, and teach this instrument. My performances have been praised by City Mayors, Senators and have been live-streamed on Phoenix TV, Huaxia TV as well as AMTV. My students have passed the Central Conservatory of Music Chinese Instrument Grade Examination in different levels. And, my original Guzheng compositions have been praised by tons of people.
With my distinctive playing style, I was invited in 2016 to debut the world’s first wearable “Electric Koto,” and the video amassed 134,000 views on Facebook. With an overwhelming positive response from audiences and musicians, I began to receive invitations for concerts, event performances and collaborations from people all around the world. A producer in Hollywood invited me to collaborate on a drum beat and was pleasantly surprised when I wrote strong melodies that would later become the song “Moon Dance,” a song with a perfect mix of oriental elements and western instrumentation. This was how I first discovered my talent in Guzheng composition. Since then my original compositions have often been described as virtuosic and heartfelt.
My original composition “Spring Sprouts” won the Best Modern-Mode Prize and was chosen by the Second International Chinese Zither Music Festival as a designated competition piece in the “Ying Cai Music Competition”. I was also invited to attend the final competition performance as a judge for the participants. Last year I was invited to play one of my other songs “Lunar New Year Overture” on the radio as part of the “Ray and Joe Show.” A few weeks later the radio station approached me again for another performance since my Guzheng music was very positively received by their listeners.
During the following years, I’ve actively performed and collaborated with a variety of musicians in the US. My performance at a Chinese New Year event was praised by the Mayor of Chino – Eunice M. Ulloa. This response has strongly motivated me to continue pursuing my passion for composition and performance. In 2017, I played at the NAMM show as a Guzheng solo artist, introducing this little known instrument to a wide audience of industry professionals, who were in awe of its heavenly sound. In the Chinese New Year Gala 2019, I was honored to perform with Maestro Carl St. Clair, Conductor Roger Kalia and the Pacific Symphony at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This was one of the first performances that combined traditional Chinese instruments with a traditional orchestra in Southern California. I still remember how I felt that night standing on the stage – I had never been so proud of myself.
Right now I am focusing on teaching and working on a Chinese New Year concert as well as my own recital for the next year. I will play one of my original compositions, “Lunar New Year Overture” with a Chinese orchestra as accompaniment on January 17th, 2020 at the Bonita Center for the Arts. I will keep promoting this beautiful instrument in the United States so hopefully, more and more people get the chance to experience its unique beauty.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like most Chinese instruments, it is very difficult to promote Guzheng here in the United States. The biggest challenge is overcoming the cultural differences so that people can fully appreciate the essence of Chinese music. Guzheng has a mesmerizing sound that pulls people in immediately, and I have been approached many times after my performances by people who were grateful to hear such a wonderful instrument. However the market for Chinese music is still small, and there is still a long way to go before the Guzheng becomes marketable in the United States.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anniezhouguzheng.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniezlt
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