Artists in Residence

Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra

The Taipei National University of the Arts was founded under the auspices of The Ministry of Education in 1982, with a specific purpose to elevate the level of Performing Arts Education in Taiwan. Over the years and into the New Millennium, this vision continues to be fulfilled, as The Taipei National University of the Arts upholds this vital role and challenge, to being the forerunner & cultural leader in Taiwan, for Performing Arts Education.

The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra was founded under the guidance of the Ministry of Education in 1983. It maintains to this day, the dual purpose of elevating the Orchestral Training & Performance of College Level Musicians, while also being a platform where Outstanding Contemporary Works are performed for the public.

Repertory presented in over 100 concerts over the last 23 years, under the tutelage of Conductor Hsu Sung-Jen, span the gamut from the Baroque to the Contemporary, as well as Traditional Taiwanese Music and Western Music.

Yearly, The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra carefully plans diverse programs of Concerts, to challenge students to excel in their performance preparations. Not only are the students fulfilling study requirements, but they are also gaining valuable skills to prepare them for future careers in the Performing Arts.

Hallmark beginnings for the Orchestra in 1993, saw the founding of The Guandu Arts Festivals and Young Concert Artists of Guandu; two series of Concerts on campus, which are now yearly highlights for the district of Guandu. World – class Performing Halls and Venues on campus provide the Orchestra with invaluable resources, so that The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra continues to be an innovative leader in bringing the Performing Musical Arts, not only to the people of Taipei County and surrounding areas, but nationally, to the entire island of Taiwan.

Guest artists who have worked with The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra, include world-renowned Concert Pianist, Martha Argerich, as well as Maestro Seiji Ozawa, the Borromeo Quartet and others.

Projects in 2005 for The Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra, also include an International Tour to Hong Kong, Austria, Korea and Canada.

Amy Chang - Taiwan

Born in Taipei, Amy Chang began her musical studies on piano and clarinet at an early age. In 1984, she was awarded first prize in the National Music Contest and credited as the youngest person to have conducted at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, formerly Taiwan’s largest concert hall.

She, with full scholarship, studied with Mitchell Lurie、 Yehuda Gilad、 Daniel Lewis and William Schaefer, and earned MA degrees in both clarinet performance and instrumental conducting from the University of Southern California U.S.A.

She was the winner of Asia in Tokyo International Music Competition for Conductors in 1997, and received the 4th prize of international conducting competition in Barcelona, 2000. Maestro Neville Mariner made the comments on her conducting “extremely musical, clear conducting pattern, flowed and outstanding communication with orchestra members in a very pleasant atmosphere”. And Maestro Jahja Lin has recommended Amy Chang as a well-qualified and experienced conductor due to her kin ears and excellent ability to communicate her music ideas clearly on the podium. Also Maestro Peter-Lukas Graf has quoted “It is an exceptional pleasure to collaborate with conductor Amy Chang, who has the wonderful quality to accompany a soloist with immediate response and musical understanding”.
 
Through the years, Amy Chang has conducted many subscription concerts with National Symphony Orchestra in Taipei, frequently guest conducted major symphony orchestras in Taiwan, and been praised highly by both critics and fans. She has premiered lots of Asia composers’ operas and orchestra works, and been invited to conduct abroad as well. She has collaborated notably with Vesselin Paraschkevov、Salvatore Accardo、Andre Cazalet 、Tibor Kovac and Peter-Lukas Graf.. She has also been asked to record several compact discs for promoting music education in Taiwan.  She is currently working as the music director and conductor of the Yu Yun Chamber Orchestra, and conducts and teaches at several prestigious universities in Taipei, Taiwan.

Taipei National University of the Arts Chorus

The Taipei National University of the Arts Chorus is one of the large performing ensemble experiences offered through the music department. One of the purposes of this group is to allow students to have professional performances as well as increase their knowledge of major works, composers and musical styles. The group originally consisted of only twelve students and was originally conducted by Professor Hei Du and later led by Professor Kuan-Hong Chien. Currently, the group is under the baton of Chu-Hsien Lin and the group now consists of seventy people. The Academic Chorus is divided into two parts, one being mixed choir and the other a women’s choir. They regularly perform either alone or in cooperation with other musical groups for school functions and other special events.

The Academic Chorus has performed works by noted Chinese composers including Shui-Long Ma, Si-Chong Ma, Hwang-Long Pan, Nan-Chang Chien and Shyh-Ji Pan. They have also performed Monterverdi’s “Orfeo”, selections from Weber’s “Der Freischutz”, Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” as well as a broad repertoire from the Renaissance period to modern works.

Chu-Hsien Lin

Ms. Chu-Hsien Lin graduated from the Chinese Culture University with her major in vocal music studying under the direction of Professor Chen Tang.  She received her graduate degree in Choral Conducting from Rutgers University studying under the baton of Julliard’s Choral Conducting Chairman, Dr. Richard Westenburg.  Dr. Westenburg said, ”She is a naturally graceful person in her gestures and possesses a fluid and attractive conducting technique.  She is a thoroughly pleasant person to work with, and she is a persuasive leader of people, transmitting to them her enthusiasm for the beautiful and the meanings of the music she is doing.”

Since 1989 she has conducted the National Taiwan University’s Chorus, the Da-Shao Chamber Choir, the YMCA Choir  and Rong-Shing Children’s and Chamber Choir.  She currently directs the Cherubim Singers and Yin-Qi Chorus & Orchestra.  Ms. Lin teaches choral conducting, choral repertoire”, secular music, research methods of choral works, stage presence and directs groups at the National Taipei University of the Arts, the Soochow University and the National Taipei Teacher’s College.
 

Ay-Laung Wang - Canada

Ay-Laung Wang is an active organ recitalist whose superb musicianship, excellent technique, and great personal charm make her a favorite with audiences and congregations wherever she performs.

Ay-Laung graduated from Trinity Western University where she excelled in her piano and conducting studies. While at Trinity Western University, she served with great distinction as special assistant conductor to the TWU choirs. She continued her studies at UBC with Edward Norman receiving a Masters of Music with top standing in organ performance. She also holds performer and teacher ARCT diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. more...