A UNIQUE DEVOTION
Chinese woman studying in Windsor is giving lessons on how to play guzheng
Cheryl Huang plays the guzheng at the University of Windsor recently. The ancient Chinese musical instrument has been the 28-year-old’s passion since she was eight. “When you hear the sounds, it makes you feel peaceful,” Huang said.
University of Windsor student Cheryl Huang says a television broadcast she saw as a child inspired her to take up her unusual hobby: playing the guzheng.
The ancient Chinese musical instrument — which has been around more than 2,500 years — has been Huang ’s passion since she was eight.
“I saw it on TV, and I told my mom: ‘Mom, I would like to learn this,’ ” said Huang, 28.
Also known as the Chinese zither, the guzheng is played by plucking its 21 strings with the right hand, while altering the pitch and adding vibrato effects by pressing the strings with the left hand.
Huang became so devoted to the traditional instrument that she sought advanced instruction outside her hometown of Jian’ou, China, travelling to cities like Beijing and Fuzhou to improve her skills.
She came to Windsor about a year ago to pursue graduate studies in education, but she’s been keeping up her guzheng playing while she’s here — performing at Essex County Chinese Canadian Association events.
Huang is now selling hour-long lessons to the public, and it’s safe to say she’s the best guzheng player in the region.
Want to learn? Mastery of the guzheng can take a lifetime, but Huang said she can teach anyone to a playing level in about a year’s time.
Of course, you’ll need to practice on your own guzheng — which are made by hand and can range in price from $600 to $10,000, depending on the quality of the wood.
Huang said there are guzheng-makers in Toronto, but she lets her students play her personal instrument during lessons.
“When you hear the sounds, it makes you feel peaceful,” Huang said.
“I think people should appreciate the old things — the old culture.”