TRADITION. Peking opera stars Yu Kuizhi and Li conclude the performances with a duet. Yu is the Vice President and Artistic Director of the China National Peking Opera vice president of the Chinese Theatre Association. The two are the most respected opera singers in China and are in the US spreading and teaching about traditional Chinese art and culture. They gave a presentation on the types of Peking opera characters, performed excerpts, and invited audience members to learn some moves. Yu expressed great pride and joy at the display of Chinese culture blossoming across the world, as evidenced by the performances at the celebration.

HARMONY. The Cincinnati Traditional Music Ensemble plays “Deeply into the Night” from famous farewell Chinese opera, “Farewell My Concubine” with a special feature performance from Li Shengsu from the Chinese National Peking Opera Company. While not originally planned, Li decided to sing a section of the piece because she once starred in “Farewell My Concubine” with her company. The traditional instruments included the guzheng (similar to a harp), erhu (like a two-stringed fiddle), and the ruan (similar to a banjo).

PRANCE. A team from the Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center performs “A Li Lang”/ “Arirang” in a Korean style. The center trains dancers in traditional Asian dance and performance from elementary school through high school. The group, based in Cincinnati, has received national and international recognition under the leadership of teacher and choreographer Bing Yang. Various groups from the center also performed “Lotus Lily,” “Fish,” and “Flowers in the Rain.”

DING DONG! The GCCS LongXing Arts Group starts off the performances. They sang the pieces “Beautiful Prairie is My Home” and “Ding Dong! Merrily on High.” The group consists of adults, many of whom have children at GCCS, that meet weekly to rehearse traditional Chinese music.

CELEBRATE. Representatives from the Chinese School Association in the United States introduce the Greater Cincinnati Chinese School’s (GCCS) Chinese New Year celebration. Chinese families from all over Cincinnati gathered to watch traditional performances, eat, and commune during the biggest Chinese holiday. GCCS is hosted by SHS every Sunday afternoon, teaching many American-born Chinese children (or Chinese Second Language children) about Mandarin reading, writing, and culture. All photos courtesy of GCCS.