Toronto Guzheng Ensemble

I am an autism behaviour therapist and a graduate of the Developmental Psychology program at the University of Toronto. I am also a music enthusiast who has been learning the Guzheng since my childhood. The melodies from its strings, resonating on a wooden platform, have gradually become an indispensable part of my life.

However, when I truly began my career in the field of autism, I rediscovered the significance of music. It can also serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. Through music, I can build a bridge to their inner worlds, enabling them to communicate and establish emotional connections.

I hope that in the days to come, I can continue to immerse myself in my passion, turning music into a soothing rain to help and nurture the souls left stranded on another planet.

Hey, I'm Vivian Wu, and I'm 8 years old. I've been playing the Guzheng for almost a year, and you know what? I love it because it makes the coolest sounds!

Guess what else? I've been in two super fun competitions! One was the Toronto Kiwanis Festival, where I got second place in the Beginner group. The other one was the CIMC-MOMA, where I won this awesome thing called the Outstanding Performance Award.

And let me tell you about my Guzheng teacher, Lina Cao. She's not just a teacher; she's super nice and always makes learning so much fun!

I was born in Canada but raised in China and started my Guzheng learning at the age of 7. I passed my Grade 10 amateur examination. I was taught by Lina Cao in 2022, and now I am a teenage Guzheng player. I learned a lot during my time playing Guzheng such as the confidence to perform for everyone, improve musical accomplishments, and contribute to the dissemination of Chinese traditional culture and cultural exchanges between China culture and the world. The awards that I obtained include performed for the invitation from Canadian Arab Symphony Orchestra to participate in the Mississauga International Music Festival; first place in Toronto Guzheng Ensemble in The Kiwanis Music Festival of Great Toronto 2023, second place in the soloist in The Kiwanis Music Festival of Great Toronto 2023; first place in Toronto Guzheng Ensemble in 2023 Canadian International Music Competition.

My name is Catherine Wang. I am 12 years old, and I have been playing the guzheng for more than a year.

When I first started guzheng I never had the confidence to perform in front of a crowd but after one performance after the other, I began to gain confidence. Now I enjoy being in the spotlight.

I have enjoyed every lesson with Lina Cao, she transforms every one of my lessons into an amazing experience, causing me to love learning new and more challenging pieces. This makes me engaged and I feel so enlightened when I play a piece.

Lina has also helped me improve my sight reading and rhythm, now I can read music with ease thanks to her.

My name is Camille, and I began my journey of Guzheng at the age of seven. My passionate love for Chinese culture and its appealing instrument, the Guzheng, has never changed. Regardless of the piece or the strings I pluck, its beauty resonates with me deeply. Music, a universal language, holds a special place in our lives, offering relaxation, emotional comfort, and the ability to express feelings. Beyond my musical passion, I also pursue a career in modeling, where music continues to be a constant, inspiring force. Join me on this wonderful journey.