GU BING JIE
FIXED CHAIR VIOLIST
A pivotal moment occurred at the YST Concerto Competition in 2009, where Gu transformed from a shy student into a strong, confident musician. During one of the last lessons before the competition, Gu was a bundle of nerves because they had a lot of ground to cover. “Manchin remained patient with me while pushing me beyond my limits to achieve greater heights. She deeply understood my progress, carefully giving me pointers in the finals. I am very grateful for her help,” she shares.
“It was a steep learning curve, but she took up the challenge, making me very proud of her,” Zhang says.
Zhang’s guidance shaped Gu’s technical skills and artistic expression, helping her develop a deeper understanding of musical phrasing and dynamics. Her illustrious career as a soloist and orchestral musician, including her tenure with the DSO, informed her mentorship, inspiring Gu with real-life experiences of working with renowned conductors like Zubin Mehta and artists like Yo-Yo Ma.
“Manchin’s illustrious career as a solo and orchestra musician alone is enough to be an inspiration,” Gu affirms. “Hearing stories of her musical journey motivates me to strive for excellence in my own path.”
A Bond Beyond Music
Over the past two decades, the mentor-mentee relationship between Zhang and Gu evolved into a familial bond. Zhang became a source of personal support, caring for Gu like a daughter during challenging times.
“Our relationship now goes beyond music, where we look after each other in our personal lives,” reflects Gu. “I had a surgery a few years back and she took care of me like I was her kin. I am fortunate to have Manchin in my life for the last 19 years.” Gu has since made a full recovery.
Like a good mother, Zhang’s guidance instilled in Gu the values of humility, resilience, and maintaining strong professional relationships.
“I believe she is talented enough to pursue her path on her own,” explains Zhang. “I try to give her much freedom to experiment and make her own artistic choices. I will provide her feedback and suggestions, but I will respect her choices.” As for navigating the challenges and taking advantage of opportunities in the music industry, Zhang’s advice was to remain authentic, but also keep an open mind. “[She reminded me] to remain true to my musical voice while being open to new experiences and collaborations. There is no end to music excellence and she would encourage me to continue to explore new ways of musicmaking,” Gu shares.
Passing the Torch
As Gu’s career progressed, Zhang’s unwavering belief in her protégé’s potential gave her the confidence to pursue ambitious projects and roles. A defining moment was when Gu auditioned for the Fixed Chair Violist position at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 2015. “The audition carried more pressure [because I had to play] in front of all my fellow SSO colleagues and violists whom I’ve already known for so long. Manchin’s unwavering faith in me was very encouraging and with her support, I passed the audition and earned the Fixed Chair title,” Gu recounts. Looking ahead, Gu aspires to pay it forward and contribute to the musical community through teaching and collaboration, continuing to seek Zhang’s advice and feedback as she takes on new challenges. “Her optimism and positive attitude to life and music continue to serve as valuable lessons to the way I attain my goals,” Gu says. “Of course, I would like to carry on making music with her, especially performing chamber music together. I look forward to many more years of musical adventures and spending time with her.”
“I try to give her much freedom to experiment and make her own artistic choices. I will provide her feedback and suggestions, but I will respect her choices.” ZHANG MANCHIN