International Chamber and Vocal Music Institute

Happy Asian Month! ! The Kansas Golden Choir gave a successful concert to Asian Community at Kansas Golden Choir on May 10th! So proud of those little artists!

Had a successful workshop organized by Dr. Yi Chang and Dr. Song Lyu last weekend at the School of Music of the University of Kansas. Thanks for the support from our guest artist Dr. Po Sim Head! We are glad to see so many talented students! Looking forward to more future music events!

The 2023 American Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition is here, we believe that the convergence of knowledge and artistic expression is a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation. The 2023 American Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition is a testament to our commitment to this belief. And it will be a celebration of musical talent, academic excellence, and artistic creativity. Save the dates: October 21st and 28th, 2023.

We’re honored to present our judge in Chamber Division of 2023 Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition: Yunqiu Xu

Yunqiu Xu is a Chinese pianist born into a musician family. Xu began her classical training at an early age, and since then, she has been regularly invited to play solo recitals in her hometown. At a young age, Xu was awarded numerous international prizes, such as the first prize at the San Jose International Piano Competition in the Intermediate Category and the exclusive scholar of the Vienna International Academy of Young Pianists Scholarship. In 2018, Yunqiu was the winner of the concerto part of the CIA International Artist Competition, and the same year, she collaborated with the CNJ orchestra and performed Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto in Merklin Concert Hall. In 2023, She got the first prize in the Midwest Region of the Orbifold Global Music Competition, the First prize in Charleston International Baroque Competition, the First prize in the 3rd Great Piano Masters International Competition, and the top winner in Pittsburg Young Artists Competition. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Alexandre Moutouzkine. She is currently pursuing her DMA at the University of Kansa with Dr. Scott McBride Smith.

Aside from her academic achievements, Xu is also giving back to her community by participating in chamber music and collaborating with the pre-college department at Tianjin Juilliard School as a staff pianist.

We take great pride in introducing one of the judges in the vocal division on our Jury: Dr. Qianwen Cen.

Qianwen Cen holds the position of Music/Communication Director at KU Chamber and Vocal Organization and is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society. In her illustrious career as a professional classical singer, she has performed as Miss Silberklang in Mozart’s opera Der Schauspieldirektor, Pamina and one of the Spirits in The Magic Flute, Sister Genovieffa in Puccini’s opera Suor Angelica, Drusilla in Monteverdi’s opera L’incoronazione di Poppea and solo soprano in Handel’s Messiah. She recently completed her Doctor and Music Arts (D.M.A.) degree at the University of Kansas in May, holds a Master of Music degree in voice from California State University of Northridge, a Bachelor of Music degree in voice at Shanghai Normal University in China.

She is deeply committed to academic research as well. In 2022, she participated as a presenter at the 71st Midwest Conference of Asian Affairs, where she delivered a dissertation on the topic Music in the Cultural Revolution. Her proposal for 2023 academic conference at The University of Illinois to give her presentation of her research on Khoomei: The Vocal Tradition that Resonatesfrom the Steppes of Central Asia. Furthermore, she has been invited by Professor Yaoyuan Shi of Xidian University as a guest presenter for two lectures. The topics are Studio Class introduction for the Doctor of Music Arts (D.M.A.) in the U.S, and Application, Training and Curriculum Designed for the Doctor of Music Arts in the North America (Virtul). Additionally, she collaborated with Professor Shi on a dissertation entitled An Analysis and Enlightenment on the Cultivation Process ofDoctor of Music Arts at the University ofKansas. This comprehensive study will be published in the upcoming year, 2024.

In terms of competition and honors, Qianwen(Melody) was awarded the Second Prize at 2023 Marker and Pioneer(MAP) International Music Competition and entered the Final Round of American International Music Competition(AIMC). In addition, she was recognized as the Best Performer during the 43rd Acupuncture Legalization Day in California and received the title of Outstanding Performer in the 4th Chinese College Students Art Exhibition held in Shanghai. Previously, she has performed in New York, California, Kansas, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, etc. She had participation in esteemed programs such as International Opera Program at The Julliard School, NY, Soprano Shigemi Matsumoto Master Class Program in California, and Lawrence Opera Theater program in Kansas.

We are privileged to present one of the Judges who serves on our Jury at the 2023 American Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition: Cellist and Conductor: Hao Hsuan Yen.

Yen has extensive experience in the field of music, particularly as a cellist and music educator. He currently holds the position of Third-chair cello player in the California Young Artist Symphony in Los Angeles, CA, a role that demands proficiency in playing and performing under high-pressure situations. As an educator, his adaptable teaching methods cater to the unique needs and preferences of each student, and he works collaboratively to create personalized tutoring sessions for individuals of varying ages and learning styles.

His dedication to music extends internationally, as he has been a cello player with the 3E Youth Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in Taipei, Taiwan, since August 2017. This role reflects his enduring commitment to ensemble playing and musical collaboration. Additionally, his involvement with the Los Angeles Dream Orchestra in Los Angeles, CA, dates back to the same per

We’re honored to introduce our judge on the Jury: Dr. Song Lyu

Dr. Song Lyu has performed as a soloist, showing her talents in oratorio, opera, and on the concert stage. She has been a guest artist with International Professional Piano Association, and Kansas City Chinese Association. Her stage performances include Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, The Second Knitter in Game of Chance, La Fortuna in L’incoronazione di Poppea, and Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw, among others. Her other performance experiences include solo soprano in the world premiere of Psalm Symphony, H.175 by Leo Sowerby, and the roles in scenes of Lakmé, La Traviata, La clemenza di Tito, Così fan Tutte, Lucia di Lammermoor, Into the Woods, Hansel and Gretel, etc.

As a director, she has produced several academic chamber concerts for KU as the founder and director of Kansas University Chamber and Vocal Music. Her latest successful production was presented by seventeen doctorates with the vocal and instrumental works by George Handel, Franz Schubert, Giuseppe Verdi, Camille Saint-saëns, Claude Debussy, Benjamin Britten, Kurt Weill, Astor Piazzolla, etc. She is also the music director of “Singing in KC” Vocal Audition, the vocal division of KCCA Lunar New Year Gala, Kansas Gold Choir, etc.

As a scholar, she worked for Institute of Composer Diversity, and recently focuse on the study of Hector Berlioz “Les nuits d'été” and “The difference in Music Traditions of China and Japan .“ As an educator, she teaches as a voice faculty and Undergraduate Coordinator at Urban Vocational College and Webster University. She got her Doctoral of Music Arts Degree and Performance Certificate from the University of Kansas.

We take great pride in presenting one of the Judges of on the Jury of the 2023 American Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition: Dr. Zachary Devin.

Zachary Devin’s voice has been praised as “superb, strong, and impassioned” by Opera Today. He will receive his Ph.D. in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Kansas, where he served as a teaching assistant in both the School of Music and the Speech, Language, and Hearing departments. He also holds an undergraduate degree from Millikin University and graduate degrees from Rice University and the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Before joining the faculty at KU, he taught applied voice at the University of Missouri Saint Louis, Ottawa University, Lindenwood University, and St. Charles Community College. He has also taught vocal and choral pedagogy courses, choral conducting, lyric diction, speech anatomy, and speech physics. At KU, Zachary teaches applied voice, vocal pedagogy, and diction. As a researcher, he has presented at national and international conferences for associations such as the Voice Foundation, the National Association for Music Educators, and the Kansas Music Educators Association. His research interests include vocal fatigue in collegiate singers, vocal health, vocal warm-ups, vocal function exercises, and vocal pedagogy applications.

Zachary is also an active operatic performer. He was a young artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Nashville Opera, Dayton Opera, and the Brevard Music Academy. He made his professional debut in Budapest as Peter Quint in Britten’s Turn of The Screw. After years of performing abroad, he returned to the US, where he has appeared with The Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Nashville Opera, Dayton Opera, Salt Marsh Opera, Winter Opera Saint Louis, Union Avenue Opera, Gulf Shore Opera, Mid-Ohio Civic Opera, and The Southern Illinois Music Festival, among others. Some favorite roles include Peter Quint (Turn of the Screw), Rinnucio (Gianni Schicchi), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Cassio (Otello), Beppe (I Pagliacci), Satyavan (Savitri), Hugh (Hugh the Drover) Jupiter (Semele), etc.

We are honored to present the consultant and one of the jury of the 2023 Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition: Dr. Stella Markou

Hailed as ‘exquisite’ by Gramophone, Greek American soprano Stella Markou has performed internationally as a soloist on the concert stage, oratorio and opera. A passionate advocate of contemporary music, her festival work includes the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Heidelberg New Music Festival, International Computer Music Conference, Paros Parks Festival, Naxos Music Festival, Siletz Bay Music Festival, Electronic Music Midwest, Xortos Music Festival, and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music (SEAMUS).

Dr. Markou has been a featured guest artist with the the Consulate General of Greece, Edinburgh Contemporary Musical Ensemble, Masterworks Chorale, Nassau Music Society, Dance New Amsterdam Company, American Chamber Chorale, University of Nevada Las Vegas Concert Series, Ambassadors of Harmony, and the Nashville Ballet. Notable masterwork performances include Orff's Carmina Burana, Fauré's Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson's Mass, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Poulenc’s Gloria, Mozart's Requiem, Rutter's Gloria, and Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen landen. Her stage performances include roles in Pique Dame, Die Zauberflöte, The Turn of the Screw, The Mikado, The Telephone, and The Songstress, The Soldier’s Tale, among others.
Dr. Markou is a nationally recognized director of opera and musical theater. Her opera productions of The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret and The Pirates of Penzance won first place in the National Opera Association’s opera production competition, and her production of The Medium won first prize in The American Prize opera production competition. The American Prize also recognized her as the second prize recipient of the Charles Nelson Reilly Prize in Directing for her production of The Medium.

Highly esteemed as a performer and master teacher, Dr. Markou is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Kansas where she serves as the Director of Opera and Coordinator of Voice. Previous appointments include serving as a teaching artist for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Artist in Training Program and as the Director of Vocal Studies and Opera Theatre at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

A native of Arizona, Dr. Markou received her Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Arizona. Her work can be found on the MSR and SEAMUS record labels.

We’re honored to introduce one of the judges on the Jury of the 2023 American Midwest Chamber and Vocal competition- chamber Division: Dr. Yimiao Huang (violin).

Originally from Taiwan, Yi-Miao Huang has appeared as violinist and violist around the world. She has participated in many music festivals and performed in Asia, Europe, and the US as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra player.

Yi-Miao holds a master’s degree from University of Missouri - Kansas City and served as violinist in the graduate fellowship string quartet. She is pursuing a Doctorate degree at the University of Kansas, serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and the concertmaster for the KU Symphony Orchestra.

Yi-Miao believes in the power of music education, and teaching has always been her passion. At the UMKC Conservatory Academy, she worked with students at all ages and levels, and taught at the Bridges Program, which supports underprivileged children in the KC metro area. Her students were admitted to the Kansas City Youth Symphony, got high scores in the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, won prizes in the chamber music competition, and participated in international music festivals in Europe. Currently, Yi-Miao serves as the string division chair at the CSPA of Kansas State University and Manhattan Arts Center, as well as violin faculty at Missouri Western State University. Aside from teaching, Yi-Miao is a member of the Des Moines Symphony and the Omaha Symphony.

We are honored to introduce our second judge of the Midwest Chamber and Vocal Competition: Cullam Olsen-Pianist

Dr. Cullam Olsen got his doctoral degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Kansas, where he taught piano courses for two years and served as coordinator of the piano area. He currently is the piano faculty of Zhejiang Normal University, China, as part of a program in coordination with Emporia State University. He has received many honors and prizes including runner-up at the Missouri Music Teachers Association Collegiate Audition, the Friends of Music Scholarship, the Robert Clinton Cope III Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Scholarship, the Tom Chaney Memorial Scholarship, the Peter Collins Piano Scholarship, the Maria Content Wise Memorial Scholarship, and the Dvorak Graduate Piano Scholarship. Cullam’s current research include implementing popular music into traditional piano pedagogy, reevaluating the classical and contemporary canon in the context of class and race, an exploration into different modes of physically approaching piano playing, and injury prevention.

We are honored to introduce one of our judges in the chamber division of the American Midwest Chamber and Vocal Competition: Cameron Pieper-pianist

Pieper, an active pianist from New York, has played professionally from the West Coast of the United States to Tigne, France. As a piano artist, his noticeable performing experiences include the Selma Sadoff Center for the Arts in Wisconsin, the Regina Opera, the Crystal Theatre in Crystal Falls, Michigan, Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Appleton Wisconsin, the MusicAlp concert series in Tignes France, and the St. John's Theatre in New York.

He is a 2015 Schubert Club Competition winner, a winner of the American Music Federation College Biennial, a Presidential Scholarship recipient at the Manhattan School of Music, and a 2017 Steinway Teaching Partnership, and the recipient of Premio Nacionales de Cultura 2022 Honorable Mention for the recording of “Pas de Deux” by Andres Soto. NYC-based pianist Cameron Pieper has worked and performed with renowned artists throughout the country. He is currently the artistic director at East Elmhurst Community School and staff pianist at the Special Music School at the Kaufman Center. His next collaborations included recitals at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

Join our 2023 Midwest Chamber and Vocal Music Competition on Oct 21st and 28th,2023. Two videos for your Prize, Reference, Summer Music Camp full scholarship, and opportunities for our coming concert tour series!