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     Betti Xiang, Erhu Virtuoso

Betti Xiang is the first musician, who was privileged as a Chicago Symphony Orchestra special guest, with Conductor David Alan Miller performed Chinese famous Concerto: "The Butterfly Lovers" in 2006. "The concert marks Betti's subscription concert debut as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra". World Famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma mentioned Betti Xiang in CSO season 2006 program. Once again, she performed this concerto with The Albany Symphony Orchestra in 2007.  Her encore solo amazingly impressed the audience in Palace Theatre.

In 1996, Betti embarked on her journey to establish a distinguished career in America. After having been invited to perform at such distinctive venues in Chicago Area, including the Ravinia International Music Festival, Chicago Cultural Center, Fullerton Hall, The Art Institute of Chicago and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall, Betti was immediately recognized as an Erhu virtuoso and performances at New York Lincoln Center, the Kimmel Center and the Smithsonian Institute, National Public Radio, Chicago WFMT soon followed. Betti performs with Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble, Lincoln String Quartet, Amelia Piano Trio, Newberry Consort early music ensemble, Cube Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. 2005, Betti appeared at the inaugural of Chicago’s Millennium Park, where she was the guest artist at the Pritzker Pavilion performing the Erhu concerto “ Crouching Tiger ” composed by Tan Dun. She appears the 2006-2007 Silk Road season at The Art Institute of Chicago as an Artist-in-Residence on numerous occasions. Betti also as an erhu soloist and a member of Immigrant Orchestra, Chicago Cultural Center, she has performed world music for many years since move to America. 

As Illinios world ethnic artist, Betti has given erhu demonstration to the Chicago Northwestern University, Northeastern University, Michigan University, Rhode Island School of Design, DePaul University, Columbia Collage...

Betti Xiang was born in Shanghai, China where her father, Xiang Zuying, a renowned Erhu master, first introduced her to the Erhu. Mr. Xiang was a distinguished soloist in the Shanghai National Orchestra and a erhu professor at The Shanghai Conservatory.  

Betti’s public debut as an Erhu soloist occurred in 1981 with The Shanghai National Orchestra where she dazzled audiences in France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan and presented many premieres with great Chinese composers, including Zhu Jianer, Jin Fuzai and Lu Pei. In 1986, Betti received the coveted Young Artists Award in both Shanghai and Beijing for outstanding solo artist.  

Through the years, Betti has formed alliances and continues to perform many new compositions of renowned composers Bruce Saylor, Conrad Tao, Huang Ruo, Victoria Bond, Patricia Morehead, Bright Sheng, Tan Dun, and Chen Yi. In July, 2006, Betti made erhu solo CD of her late father’s music, Tunes of Countryside in Shanghai, China.  

Whether it is performing with western music, world music or by adapting and rearranging other works to fit the Erhu, Betti’s unique style has always been able to stimulate the imagination of her audience with surprising and satisfying results. You can learn more about Betti and her musical instrument at www.XiangErhu.com