By David Li, bostonese.com
Boston, Oct. 30, 2013, — Each year, Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) presents the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards. There are seven winners for the prestigious Award for Best Artists for 2012. Yazhi Guo, who studies at Berklee College of Music, received the Best Artist Award for music category.
With suona in right hand, Guo holding the award trophy in his home studio (photo by David Li).
During a recent interview at his home in Brookline, Mr. Guo showed me his home music studio in the basement, along with quite a few traditional Chinese music instruments, and posters from various concerts. Regarded as one of the best suona players ever, Guo is well known in Hong Kong and in China.
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“Both my wife Tao He and I had very stable jobs at Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. My parents objected me coming to Berklee to study Jazz music,” Guo said. He has long been interested in Jazz music, and even been called Louis Armstrong of China.
In the end, Mr. Guo followed his heart to Boston at the end of 2011, and became a student at Berklee. In the second half of 2012, Guo’s wife and two daughters joined him from Hong Kong. In the past two years, Guo made guest appearances at concerts in Toronto, Boston and other US cities, and opened ears of western audiences to the unique sound of suona. |
In the evening of Nov. 24, Mr. Guo will be featured in a concert at NEC’s Jordan Hall. Composer Joan Huang’s Bird Twitters from Altadena for suona and six percussion players will have the world premiere at the concert. “I’m very much looking forward to this concert. The new piece by Joan Huang is perfect for me to play,” said Mr. Guo. The free concert starts at 8:00 PM. The address of Jordan Hall is 30 Gainsborough St, Boston, MA 02115.
The following video 100 Birds Courting the Phoenix — Suona, Erhu by Yazhi Guo and Tao He was from a concert at First Church Boston on Oct. 12, 2013.
In next Spring, Guo will enroll in the artist degree program at Berklee. The following is a video by Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and full list of 2012 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards.
Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2012 – Awardees List
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Awards
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Awardees
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Life Achievement Award
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Darwin Chen
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Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts
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Liu Yichang
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Award for Best Artist
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Arts Criticism:
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Cheng Ching-hang
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Dance:
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Yeung Chun-kong, Daniel
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Drama:
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Tang Shu-wing
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Media Arts:
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Young Kar-fai, Samson
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Literary Arts:
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Liu Wai-tong
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Music:
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Guo Yazhi
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Visual Arts:
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Pak Sheung-chuen
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Award for Young Artist
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Arts Criticism:
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Tang Ching-kin
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Dance:
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Hu Songwei
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Drama:
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Cheng Gi-gi
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Film:
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Lo Chun-yip
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Media Arts:
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Choi Sai-ho
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Music:
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Chiu Pak-shing
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Visual Arts:
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Ho Sin-tung
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Xiqu:
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Kong Chun-kit
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Award for Arts Education
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School Division
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Gold:
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G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College
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Silver:
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Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Tai Wo Kindergarten
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Bronze:
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TWGHs Lui Yun Choy Memorial College
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Non-School Division
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Gold:
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Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong
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Silver:
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Performing Arts Education Centre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
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Bronze:
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CreativeKids
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Award for Arts Promotion
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Group / Organisation Category
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Gold:
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Hong Kong Arts Centre
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Silver:
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Fullcup Café Limited
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Bronze:
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Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong
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Media Category
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Gold:
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U Magazine
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Silver:
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Prism Creation Ltd.
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Bronze:
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The Hong Kong Moxiang Calligraphers’ Association
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Individual Category
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Bronze:
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Choy Kam-ho (Sam Ho Tze)
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Award for Arts Sponsorship
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City Contemporary Dance Company
K11 Concepts Limited
Osage Art Foundation
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