Alice Chan
Alice is a banking lawyer by day but has a passion for the Guzheng. She started learning piano at the age of five. Alice furthered her passion for music through studying the Guzheng with Xue Bing Chen when she was fourteen. After a few short years, Alice began performing with Xue Bing in numerous concerts and events. Alice has achieved her Certificate of Music (CmusA) in piano with distinction in 2001. She has performed with the East-West Philharmonic Orchestra and played for Sydney’s official celebration of Chinese National Day. Alice also performed with pianist William Chen a concerto, King Of West Chu（西楚霸王 古箏鋼琴協奏曲) for Guzheng and piano at Government House.
Ana Chan
Ana is a Reinsurance Accountant. Ana began learning Guzheng from Xue Bing Chen as a teenager. Her playing style is delicate, clear and beautiful. She has also played on numerous occasions with Xue Bing and is part of Xue Bing’s ensemble. Ana is Alice Chan’s sister.
Ana performing at a Guzheng concert.
Ana performing at Darling Harbour.
Timothy Tan
Timothy began learning Guzheng from Xue Bing Chen when he was a medicine student at the University of Sydney. Even during his busy studies, specialist exams ,and long days at the hospital, Dr. Timothy never stopped his Guzheng and Erhu practise. In 2009, Timothy recorded Guzheng music for the acclaimed feature film Mao’s Last Dancer. Timothy has always been part of Xue Bing’s Ensemble.
Timothy currently resides in Boston, working at the Harvard Medical School Hospital.
Timothy recording for Mao’s Last Dancer at Fox Studios.
Timothy performing with the Ensemble.
Melissa Ellingworth
Melissa Ellingworth started learning the piano when she was four years old from Xue Bing Chen, her mother. Melissa quickly began succeeding at several piano competitions throughout Sydney, winning 1st Places at the 1995 and 1998 Sydney Ryde Eisteddfod. Melissa completed the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Grade examinations, earning A+ grades, as well as achieving high scores in her Musicianship examinations (including a perfect score in her 6th Grade Musicianship). In Year 6, Melissa was admitted to the Sydney Conservatorium High School for Piano, but instead chose to attend a highly selective school. During her time in Primary School, Melissa twice performed a piano solo at the Sydney Region Music Festival at the Sydney Opera House, representing the primary school students of NSW.
As Melissa prepared for her music diploma examination, she began learning under Professor Nikolai Evrov. In 2002, she was awarded the Associate in Music Australia (AMusA) with Distinction. Melissa achieved a perfect score in her HSC Extension Music examination, and was nominated to perform piano at the annual “Encore” Concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Melissa regularly performs with Xue Bing’s Ensemble, and teaches piano. Recently, she performed solo, Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp Minor, at the 60th Anniversary Chinese Army Festival in Beijing. Melissa currently resides in New York City, working for the world’s largest professional services firm.
Melissa performing Rachmaninoff Prelude in C-sharp Minor in Beijing.
Melissa performing at the QVB with her mum.
Melissa performing at the Opera House for NSW High Schools.
Melissa performing at a concert with her mum.
Melissa competing in an Eisteddfod.
Training with Xue Bing
Jesse Ellingworth
Like his sister, Jesse also began learning the piano when he was four years old under Xue Bing. Showing immense talent from an early age, Jesse won 1st Place in numerous Sydney Eisteddfods. In Year 6, Jesse was selected to represent NSW Primary Schools in a piano solo at the Sydney Opera House.
Jesse’s musical ability was noticed by several Sydney private schools, and Jesse was awarded full scholarships to The Scots College, Cranbrook School, Newington College and Knox Grammar, before deciding to attend The Scots College. Jesse excelled in the AMEB Grade examinations, receiving A and A+ grades, and in 2007 Jesse achieved his Associate in Music Australia (AmusA) under the guidance of Professor Nikolai Evrov. He excelled academically as well, receiving the “Dux of the Year” prize every year. In 2011 Jesse achieved a perfect ATAR in his HSC, and was offered a full scholarship to study medicine at The University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. America also came calling, He was also offered scholarships to several Ivy League American universities, and currently studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
As a result of his excellent studies, Jesse received the Australian Student Prize in 2011.
Jesse receiving the “Dux of College” trophy at The Scots College Speech Day 2011, Sydney Opera House from NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione
2011 Scots College Dux – Jesse Ellingworth
Jesse with mother, Xue Bing Chen, before his piano solo at the Sydney Opera House.
Jesse with sister, Melissa and Xue Bing Chen.
Jesse’s 1st Prize at the Inner West Eisteddfod. Jesse’s AmusA Diploma.
Jesse performing a piano solo.
Jesse competing in a piano competition
Jesse having a piano lesson with his mum.
Carolyn Au
Carolyn Au presented a solo erhu performance for her performance component of HSC Extension Music. Carolyn’s performance gained her a perfect Band 6 result, and she was selected to perform in the annual “Encore” Concert at the Sydney Opera House. Carolyn is one of the several high-achieving students who learn a Chinese instrument for their HSC under Xue Bing. Since then she has been a member of Xue Bing’s performance Ensemble.
After completing a Pharmacy degree at the University of Sydney, Carolyn found herself back in the music world, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium, studying violin with Alex Todicescu and Goetz Richter. She now plays with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.
2013 Tribute to Mother’s Day Concert
Chia Lee
Chia-Jung Lee began learning the Guzheng in Taiwan when she was in primary school. Under the instruction of Professor Dei Dong Wei, she performed numerous concerts throughout Taiwan and Vietnam. After finishing her Bachelor Degree of Education in Taipei, she took a Masters degree in Multimedia at Monash University. Chia now resides in Sydney and is a student of Xue Bing Chen and a part of Xue Bing’s Ensemble.
2013 Tribute to Mother’s Day Concert.
Thomas Chui
Thomas is a software engineer. He began learning Erhu as an adult from Xue Bing Chen. For Thomas, Erhu is his passion; he loves Chinese music. Thomas produces a beautiful tone when he plays the Erhu, and this comes from his wide knowledge of Chinese music. Thomas is a member of Xue Bing’s Ensemble.
Thomas performing an Erhu duet with piano.
William Lai
William is a master of calligraphy. When William was young, he always wanted to play the Erhu, but never got the opportunity to learn. William began learning the Erhu as an adult, under Xue Bing Chen. The Erhu and Chinese music are William’s passions, he devotes a lot of time to listening and appreciating all the different textures that Chinese music encompasses.
William performing an Erhu duet with piano.
Moses Chiu
Moses is a musician, teaching the violin. He learns Erhu with Xue Bing Chen. His experience with the violin has helped him control and master the Erhu. Moses plays the Erhu beautifully and with advanced technical skills.
Moses performing an Erhu duet with his son, Simeon Chiu, on piano.
Sam and Samson Yang
Sam and Samson graduated in 2002 from the University of Sydney with Bachelors of Music Composition. Sam learnt Erhu, while Samson learnt Guzheng from Xue Bing. Sam and Samson approached Xue Bing to teach them Chinese music in 2001. Their exposure to a different type of music provided Sam and Samson a deeper knowledge of music composition.
Sam performing an Erhu duet with Melissa Ellingworth.
Samson performing a Guzheng solo.
Anthony Fong
When Anthony began learning the Erhu from Xue Bing Chen, he was studying Optometry at the University of Sydney. Already an experienced violin player from Sydney Grammar School, Anthony quickly improved his Erhu technique and playing style. After his optometry degree, Anthony furthered his studies in medicine.
Anthony performing an Erhu duet with Melissa Ellingworth.
Anthony performing an Erhu solo.
Ensemble
A Concert in Tribute to Mother’s Day 2013
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- The Ensemble performing at The Tribute to Mother’s Day Concert 2013
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- The Ensemble performing at The Tribute to Mother’s Day Concert 2013
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- Chia Lee at The Tribute to Mother’s Day Concert 2013
MLC – Methodist Ladies’ College
Xue Bing Chen’s MLC students performed Guzheng at the Sydney Opera House.
Student Concerts
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- The Ensemble performing at the Student Concert.
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- The Ensemble performing at Lane Cove plaza
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- The Ensemble performing at the Student Concert