Philadelphia Melody Holiday Gala 2023

From spring blossoms to summer rains, through autumn leaves to winter snows, we've walked hand in hand through the seasons, listening to the harmonious melodies of abundance.

Join us on Saturday, December 2nd for an exquisite artistic showcase presented by the Philadelphia Melody Performing Arts Association, and a host of renowned artists including Yazhi Guo who is one of the best suona performers in the world, Mezzo-Soprano Lina Zha and the Jiayi Guo Quartet. Music, dance and the resonating chords of traditional instruments will grace the stage.

This winter promises to be anything but cold. We look forward to your presence!

Presented by the Philadelphia Melody Performing Arts Association

VIP $30. General $20

Tickets at Eventbrite.com

Yazhi Guo

Co-founder and founding President of the American Academy of World Music performer, educator, and musical instruments reformer, active on the international stage.

He is good at playing suona and a variety of Chinese and Western wind instruments. He is recognized by the industry as one of the best suona performers in the world, and he is committed to integrating Chinese music with world music.

Graduated from the Traditional Music Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in1990, and stayed on to teach at the school; in 2000, he became the principal of suona of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO); in 2012 he went to the United States to study, and also gave lectures and held lectures at Harvard University, Philadelphia University of the Arts and Berklee College of Music concert.

He won the Pro Musicis International Award in New York in 1998 and the Hong Kong Artist of the Year Award in 2013. In 2015, he obtained the Artist Diploma of Berklee College of Music, and He has led the Berklee College of Music Band to visit China and Singapore many times..

He has recorded more than ten of solo albums, many of which were released globally. The Suona active core developed by him won the second prize of Science and Technology Progress Award of the Ministry of Culture in 1993; he also developed Polyphonic Hulusi and and Guzheng transposition double-slot bridge, which has attracted much attention in the industry. In 2021, Co-founded the American Academy of World Music and the World Music Ensemble in Henderson House. “Top Ten” Reformers of Chinese Traditional Musical Instruments in 2021.

Lina Zha

Lina Zha graduated from the Vocal Opera Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in China. She received rigorous classical music training from a young age and has participated in both Chinese and foreign operas, such as 'The Marriage of Figaro,' 'La Traviata,' and 'The Departure.' She has also released two solo albums. Her songs, including 'The Place Where Dreams Take Flight' and 'The Red Lover,' have been broadcast on several occasions on China Central Television and regional TV stations, earning her awards.

In 2019, Lina took part in the 2nd New York Chinese Contemporary Music Festival. She portrayed the role of a mother in the symphonic oratorio 'Iron Man Crucified,' composed by Pulitzer Prize winner and renowned composer Zhou Long. The oratorio had its world premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York and was performed again at Stanford University's Bing Hall on October 6, 2019.

In 2023, Lina Zha, together with Vince Di Mura, the Music Director at Princeton University's Lewis Center for the Arts, as well as other Chinese and American musicians, co-founded the 'Summer Breeze' Chinese Jazz Band. They blend Chinese classic songs with American jazz, engaging in a series of activities, including concerts, album recordings, music videos, and artistic endeavors.

Jiayi Guo Quartet

The Jiayi Guo Quartet is a group led by the Hong Kong-born Pianist, Composer and Bandleader Jiayi Guo, currently pursuing Performance and Jazz Composition at the Berklee College of Music.

Made up of some of the most upcoming international musicians of this generation, the Jiayi Guo Quartet seeks music alike through playful exploration between cultures. The raw and improvisational nature of jazz allows the quartet to do so.

This collective is composed of Chilean tenor saxophonist Joaquín Valdebenito, St. Louis-based bassist and drummer, Evan Wohlrabe and Jared Spears respectively.

Philadelphia Melody Choir

Established in 2015, Philadelphia Melody Choir is under the leadership of the renowned chorus director Wanjun Qiao. Since then, the Choir organized and hosted many large-scale concerts such as "Ode to the Yellow River", "Dai Yuqiang Concert", "Wang Liping Works Concert" and “Melody Autumn Concert”, etc. After three years of COVID19 pandemic, the choir is resuming normal activities and led by Kelly Ye as the invited conductor, Philadelphia Melody Choir is now active again to bring more musical events to the community.

Philadelphia Melody Dance Troupe

Philadelphia Melody Dance Troupe was founded 14 years ago by a remarkable group of full-time professionals, including doctors, accountants, IT experts, and marketing professionals. This dance ensemble emerged from their shared passion for dance. Led by Ms. Weiwei Ma, they have cultivated a diverse repertoire of dance styles. Throughout their journey, they have graced both grand and intimate stages, captivating audiences across the tri-state region with their grace and beauty.

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