The History of the Gu Zheng 古筝历史记
The Gu Zheng is a traditional Chinese stringed musical instrument. It belongs to the family of table zithers, with the earliest traces dating back to the 3rd century BCE. According to Chinese philosophy, playing the Gu Zheng enhances one's breath and bodily energy. It is believed that the music of the Gu Zheng originates from the heavens.
Ms. Sissy ZHOU is a professional Chinese musician and professor of Gu Zheng who has performed in several French, American and Chinese concerts. Gu Zheng is a traditional Chinese instrument that was very popular 3700 years ago, starting from 475 BC.
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Ms. Sissy ZHOU
Zither and Chinese Music
"Audiences at Sissy's concerts agree that her music provides a sensation of journey, fulfillment, and serenity."
Sissy worked extremely hard, balancing her studies with daily music practice for at least two hours a day. In all weather conditions, whether enduring the extreme heat of summer (Wuhan is one of the hottest cities in China during the summer) or braving the blizzards of winter, she would travel to the conservatory, which was very far from her home, and return with her parents on the night bus. She practiced relentlessly, to the point where her small fingers would often bleed.
At just 13, she achieved perfection and received an "Excellent" rating in the highest level Guzheng exam in Wuhan.
At 14, she was invited by the regional radio station of Hubei Province for her first live radio broadcast to play the Gu Zheng.
At 17, she won top prizes in national and regional competitions organized by the Academy of Music of China, Chinese television stations, universities, and the Chinese Government.
It was also at this age that she began performing concerts and teaching Gu Zheng. Many of her students have won Gold Medals at the national competition and have gained admission to conservatories and universities to continue their training.
After obtaining her degree in China, Sissy Zhou received the "Eiffel" scholarship from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue a Master’s in Cultural Institution Management in France. During her studies, she performed concerts in France to promote and spread traditional Chinese music and culture.
Upon obtaining her degree, Sissy Zhou went to the United States to continue her career as a concert artist.
At the same time, she became a Gu Zheng professor at the University of Florida.
She later decided to return to France, where she performed at numerous internationally renowned festivals. Subsequently, she was invited by the Portuguese Government for a cultural exchange between Portugal and China, "Luso Talentos 2012-2013" in Macau. In 2014, she performed at Babel Med World Music.
With her captivating sensitivity and near-excellence in mastery, this artist provides a unique immersion into the realm of ancient China.
Since 2012, she has been researching and creating art around Western and traditional European music, including classical music, fado, and Provençal music.
In 2014 and 2018, she received grants from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region for her musical creations. With these grants, she produced a musical show (written, directed, and composed by herself) titled "Love in Provence" in 2014; formed her trio "Love in Provence"; and recorded the album "Lavande et Jasmin" with Miquèu MONTANARO in Duo (album release expected in 2021).
Additionally, she taught and organised workshops on Chinese music at the Cité de la Musique in Marseille. She also taught Gu Zheng to professionals through the Diplomat Program and MasterClasses at the International Institute of World Music, and to amateurs at the Confucius Institute in Montpellier.