Tale of the Fire Phoenix
FESTIVAL OF ORCHESTRA
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, 5th Dec 2021
Held over two consecutive weekends 27-28 November and 4-5 December at Adelaide Showground, ASO programmed Zhao's Floods of Fire project 'Tale of the Fire Phoenix' in the Family Fun concerts.
As a commissioned composer, with support from Belinda Gehlert, Zhao composed a suite of 5 pieces, depicting the journey of a phoenix's experiences through a drought and eventually sacrificing herself in praying for rain. A beautiful series to be delivered in 2022, tailored for general and younger audiences - brought forward by the ASO to pilot the project.
With a heart filled with prayers - may the phoenix's musical resurrection at FOFO bring us all peace and harmony into 2022!
Photo credit: Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
SAN URESHI & FRIENDS
INTERPLAY
Nexus Arts, 19th Nov 2021
Featuring San Ureshi's percussionist - Satomi Ohnishi on her biggest range of percussion! We also premiere David Dai's Mountain Dew on this night.
San Ureshi, which means "Joy of the Trio”, experiment with various cultures, soundscapes and textures, breaking boundaries with their unique and dynamic compositions. This time - we are delighted to be joined by friends - Alain Valodze (Guitar), Karen De Nardi (Viola) and long-time friend Jack Overall (Cello).
Photo credit: Emma Luker
TRUE SELF
Commissioned by ArtSA, 7th Nov 2021
Art Gallery SA and OzAsia Festival
Taking lead from Art Gallery of South Australia’s latest exhibition True Self, Zhao will be with friends at AGSA, responding with original works to the exhibition. Zhao will be performing with San Ureshi and also Alain Valdoze.
In the face of a pandemic, it has been a reflective year and this project has arrived so timely. It will be one which sings from the heart, with responses ready for the exhibited pieces by Lindy Lee which include “Small hearts find each other” and “Going where the river flows”. Also responding to artwork Black Matter by Olafur Eliasson (pictured on right)
Photo credit: Emma Luker
Australian of the Year Awards 2022
22nd October 2021
Commissioned by Nexus Arts and led by Julian Ferraretto, Abdul A and Zhao performed Great Southern Land at the Australian of the Year Awards 2022 Opening Ceremony.
It was great honour to be performing for such an important event of the year, for the state and country. A true Australian gig!
CAAP Artist Lab Coordinator
Contemporary Asian Australian Performance
CAAP Artist Lab SA is a 5 day lab to be held in Adelaide this November for artists with a performance based practice.
Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP) is the leading producer of exceptional performance that gives voice to the contemporary Asian Australian experience.
Being co-ordinator at this role is exciting! Hopefully this will provide a unique perspective of working in arts, sharing experiences with others with similar backgrounds, and together, we can all create a unique outcome - as an individual or as a whole! May our arts serve our local community to its most!
HEAR NOW
Her Majesty's Theatre, 19th May 2021
This special event for one night only offers four unique musical ensembles: First Nations songwomen Dhungala Baarka (Nancy Bates and Allara) joined by jazz musician and composer Adam Page; an acclaimed contemporary Sufi music group led by singer/composer Farhan Shah “the Australian Pakistani Pavarotti”; Radial Quartet led by guzheng player Zhao Liang and drummer/composer Jarrad Payne; and multi-talented Cuban trumpeter/composer Lazaro Numa and ensemble. From exquisite songwriting to soaring instrumental melodies, expect an unforgettable night of contemporary music.
NEXUS ARTS ORCHESTRA
Capri Theatre, 16th May 2021
As part of Unley’s 150th celebrations, the City of Unley’s Open House program is hosting the exciting Nexus Arts Orchestra at the iconic Capri Theatre in May.
Conducted and led by ensemble director Julian Ferraretto, the show will feature original works by First Nations singer and composer Vonda Last and an array of other talented company members. This one-off performance will also feature a new composition written by Julian, especially for the Nexus Arts Orchestra as a tribute to Unley’s sesquicentennial.
https://www.unley.sa.gov.au/News-articles/Nexus-Arts-Orchestra
LUNAR NEW YEAR CONCERT
Adelaide Festival Centre, 13th Feb 2021
To celebrate the Year of the Ox, experience an evocative fusion of traditional Chinese instruments and western music elements performed by talented local musicians. Produced by Zhao Liang.
The concert features mostly original music and work, composed by local musicians Zhao Liang, Satomi Ohnishi, Joel Ang, David Dai and Xuting Zhao. The repertoire will also deliver new arrangements of some popular folk songs,including a jazzed-up Kang Ding Qing Ge (康定情歌), and Flowing River (小河淌水) that feature a crossing of melodies between cello and erhu.
Photo credit: Ben Searcy