Erhu to Cantopop: Five Thousand Springs of Chinese Sound
Date:
April 11, 2026, 2:30 P.M.
Location:
Chinese Canadian Museum
[51 E Pender St Vancouver, BC V6A 1S9]
Schedule:
2 P.M. – Doors
2:30 to 4:30 P.M. – Panel talk with the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble
Cost:
Included with museum admission
Embark on a vivid musical journey spanning thousands of years of Chinese music. Led by Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble’s Resident Composer Alan Lau, Artistic Director Jirong Huang, and members of the VCME, this talk invites audiences to discover the rich evolution and enduring aesthetics of Chinese music from multiple cultural and historical perspectives through stories, sound, and live performance.
This talk will also discuss the development of Cantopop, with special emphasis to pay homage to the work of the legendary composer Joseph Koo Ka-fai (顧嘉煇, 1931–2023)—widely celebrated as the “Father of Cantopop.” Afterwards, participants will have the rare opportunity to interact directly with the musicians and enjoy hands-on experiences with these traditional instruments.
This event will be conducted primarily in English with ASL interpretation. This event is presented in collaboration with the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble with support from the Canada Council and the Province of British Columbia.
This program is part of the public programming for Dream Factory: Cantopop Mandopop 1980s-2000.
Guest Speakers
Jirong Huang
A graduate from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, is artistic director of the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble and a master of Chinese bowstring instruments.
Since arriving in Vancouver in 1988, Ji Rong has performed for the Canadian Governor General Concert as an erhu soloist and showcased his talent across Canada and the U.S., including appearances on TV and CBC radio programs. He has collaborated with musicians of diverse instrumentation and cultures as well as in interdisciplinary arts. In 1989, he started the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, the very first professional Chinese music group in Canada.
Alan Lau
Composer-in-residence and musician for the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, has contributed to various Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble events, including Ten Thousand Springs (2007), Autumn Flight (2014), the Tradition in the Future online symposium (2020), and Future in Past, Part I (2017) and Part II (2022).
As an independent scholar, Alan is a co-author of Qupai in Chinese Music: Melodic Models in Form and Practice (2016) and a contributor to The Oxford Handbook of Music in China and the Chinese Diaspora (2023). He was also an editorial board member of the Asian Musicology Journal.
Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble
Formed in 1989, Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble (VCME) is the first professional Chinese music group formed in North America. Jirong Huang on erhu, Yusha “Sarah” Tan on guzheng, Zhongxi Wu on suona and sheng and Ling Yang on pipa are highly accomplished instrumentalists who combine technical mastery with a passionate approach to music. Together they perform an eclectic repertoire that embraces traditional Chinese and contemporary Canadian music. Among the Ensemble’s goals is to advance the understanding and appreciation of Chinese instruments, music and culture in Canada.
Sarah Tan – Guzheng
Sarah is a master of the Guzheng (Chinese Zither). She began studying the instrument at the age of 10 and in 2008, graduated from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music where she studied under different zheng masters, most notably, Professor Wang Wei. As a student, Sarah won numerous prizes in major competitions and played as a guest performer in many renowned Chinese symphonies. After immigrating to Vancouver in 2008, she performed as soloist for the BC Chinese Orchestra and later joined the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble in various successful international collaborations and creative ventures.
Zhong Xi Wu – Suona + Sheng – Chinese Oboe + Reed Organ
Zhongxi Wu aka Jonesy to his friends, is a 4th generation of suona players in his family and has added to their many accolades. An honorary director of the Chinese Wind Instrument Society in China, Zhongxi has played suona for acclaimed music groups including the BC Chinese Orchestra, Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra, Vancouver Chinese Ensemble and Golden Pearl Ensemble. He performs with a joy that lights up the stage. Among the highlights of his career is when he performed with the Delta Police Pipe Band and shared the stage with Paul McCartney in a Vancouver concert.
Ling Yang – Pipa Pipa virtuoso
Ling Yang received training from Kan Jin-Tian and Fan Jin-Long, and started her musical journey at the age of seven. She entered the Xin Hai Conservatory of Music in 1988, graduating with distinction in 1992. Since that time she has concentrated her attention on performance and teaching.
Family Discovery
Our monthly Family Discovery programs welcome visitors of all ages!
Turn your museum visit into a memorable experience with our Family Discovery days, with programs designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection across generations.
Our Family Discovery days often feature a vibrant mix of hands-on art-making, interactive story times, special museum tours, and engaging activities that celebrate Chinese cultural holidays and bring the themes of our current exhibitions to life.
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July 1 at the Museum
Join us this July 1 in celebrating Chinese Canadian legacies and culture. From conversations around historical memory, creative crafts, and a special musical performance, there’s something for the whole family!
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“Clan of the Painted Lady” Film Screening & Director Q&A
Join director Jennifer Chiu for a special screening of her latest film exploring her Hakka-Canadian heritage, followed by an audience Q&A.
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Wearing the Cheongsam: Chinese Canadian Identity Through Fashion
Join Cheryl Sim and Mia Wu, owner and senior tailor at Modernize Tailors, for a presentation discussion on contemporary cheongsam trends, garment production, and cultural appropriation.
