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Outreach

Outreach&Partnership

Director: Dr. Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang, soprano

Creative Advisor: Dr. Peiyao Yu, pianist​&organist

RU Conference Chair: Dr. Meiqiao Wang, composer

MSMU Conference Chair: Dr. Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, violinist

BIOS

Elaine bio

Dr. Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang, Director

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Chinese soprano Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang has been an apprentice with Russia International Art Festival in Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Russia, San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto in Mexico. She also perform several roles in LAH-SOW Minneapolis opera, Crittenden Opera Workshop, and the Landlocked Opera in the U.S.A. Her past roles include Baba in The Medium, Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly, 2nd Witch in Dido and Aeneas, Mutter in Hänsel und Gretel, the second lady in Die Zauberflöte, Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium, and the title role in Suor Angelica.  Dr. Huang has participated in a variety of music festivals and competitions and has won top prizes in the Russian International Opera Competition, Minnesota NATS competition, Kansas City Musical Club Miller Scholarship Award, and Charleston International Contemporary Music Competition. In addition to opera, she has been working as a pianist at Tyrolean International Piano Academy, Austria. Dr. Huang is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). A new music enthusiast, she has world-premiered the chamber opera Snow Angel which explores the rediscovery and reclamation of personal identity and agency following a sexual assault of the sole female protagonist. As a musician who is passionate about social justice and ethnic diversity, she founded the Asian Classical Music Initiative in 2021. Asian Classical Music Initiative aims to create a platform for the recognition and celebration of the contributions made by Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander classical music composers This organization is focused on presenting diverse musical styles and traditions, including both classical and contemporary genres, to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich and varied cultural heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Since its founding in the summer of 2021, KU ACMI has already produced several concerts and hosted two international conferences, which brought together scholars, composers, performers, and music enthusiasts from around the world to share their insights and perspectives on AAAPI classical music. The initiative is also engaged in outreach efforts to raise awareness of AAAPI music and provide educational opportunities for musicians and students who are interested in exploring this genre. Through its various activities, the KU Asian Classical Music Initiative seeks to build bridges between cultures and communities and to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the unique artistic expressions of the AAAPI communities. Dr. Huang holds degrees from East China Normal University (B.A), Temple University (M.M), and the University of Kansas (D.M.A).

Dr. Peiyao Yu, Creative Advisor

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A pianist and organist based in Los Angeles , Dr. Peiyao Yu has recently completed her D.M.A. degree in Piano Performance under Dr. Jack Winerock and Dr. Michael Kirkendoll at the University of Kansas. A dedicated advocate for the music of the living composers, Dr. Yu’s dissertation “Out of the Box: Learning and Preparing for From the Same Melancholy Fate by Eve Beglarian” focused on a multi-disciplinary, improvisatory electronic music. In 2018, she soloed with orchestra, performing Tchaikovsky piano concerto No.1, in "Santa Cecilia" Hall, Perugia, Italy. She has also held multiple recitals in both China, USA and Europe. Dr. Yu was the first prize winner at Classical Music Competition of Charleston International Competition and Franz Liszt Center International Piano Competition in 2022. In 2021, she was selected as the Best Schumann Performance and Best Prokofiev Performance in International Music Competitions. Having solidified her expertise in piano, Dr. Yu has now embarked on an exciting new journey exploring the realm of organ performance. Starting in the fall of 2022, she has been pursuing a new Master’s degree in Church Music under Dr. James Higdon. Dr. Yu received her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she double majored in piano performance and chamber music performance with Dr. Arthur Greene. During her master’s years, She also discovered her talent for the organ with Dr. James Kibbie and was selected to join an interdisciplinary research team headed by Dr. Kibbie and Dr. Daniel Forger from the Department of Mathematics. This collaborative project focused on how the brain processes music, through detailed study of the Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Sonatas (BWV 525-530).  Currently, Dr. Yu works as an Associate Organist in Country Club Christian Church at Kansas City, Missouri. When not devoted into music, she enjoys detective stories, great food and crocheting. Additionally, she serves as the website director of KU’s Asian Classical Music Initiative.

Peiyao bio

Dr. Meiqiao Wang, RU Conference Chair

Meiqiao bio
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See RU ACMI Team Page

Dr. Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, MSMU Conference Chair

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See MSMU ACMI Team Page

Xenia bio
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