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Xuefei's Biography
[Last updated : May 2008]
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Xuefei Yang – a
musical pioneer
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 The pioneering spirit of internationally acclaimed
guitarist and EMI recording artist, Xuefei Yang, has been evident since
childhood. The Beijing-born,
London-based musician is the first :
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Guitarist to enter a music
school in China
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Guitarist to graduate with a BA
degree in guitar, in China
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Guitarist to receive an
international scholarship from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of
Music, for her postgraduate study at Royal Academy of Music
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Chinese person to receive such a
scholarship
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Person from mainland China to
launch an international career as a guitarist
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Chinese guitarist to sign with a
major record label (EMI).
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Early years in China
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 Xuefei began playing the guitar at the age of seven, and
took formal tuition at ten. Soon
after, she made her first public appearance at the First China
International Guitar Festival. She immediately gained such acclaim that the
Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a concert guitar.
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From
the age of 13, Xuefei was educated at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of
Music.
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At
14, she made her Madrid debut, which was attended by the composer Rodrigo.
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In
1995 John Williams came to Beijing. He was so impressed with her playing
that he gave two of his own Smallman guitars to the Central Conservatory of
Music, in Beijing especially for her and other top students to play.
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During
her school years, Xuefei played extensively in China, Hong Kong, Macau,
Spain, and Australia and gave concert tours in Taiwan, Japan and Portugal.
Throughout this period, she appeared on numerous radio and television
broadcasts in China and abroad.
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Completion of musical education in UK
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 Xuefei came to the UK in 2000, when she was awarded a
full scholarship to study in London at the Royal Academy of Music. The same
year Xuefei won the Ivor Mairants International Guitar Competition in
London.
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In
2002, she graduated with distinction, receiving a Dip RAM – the highest
performance award conferred by the Royal Academy of Music.
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In
addition she also won the Dorothy Grinstead Prize for a recital at
Fairfield Hall, and received the Principal’s prize for exceptional
all-round studentship.
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Top
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Professional career
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After
graduation, Xuefei remained based in UK to launch an international career,
and has since given concerts in around 40 countries throughout Europe, Asia
and the United States, at prestigious venues including :
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Europe : UK’s Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal
Festival Hall in London; Germany’s Philharmonie in Berlin & Musikhalle
in Hamburg; Holland’s Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; Austria’s Concert Hall in
Vienna; Spain’s National Auditorium in Madrid
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Asia : Taipei’s National Concert Hall; Hong Kong’s City Hall
and Cultural Cente; Singapore’s Esplanade; Korea’s Art Centre in Seoul;
China’s Concert Hall in Beijing
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America : USA’s Lincoln Centre in New York, Herbst Theatre in San
Francisco.
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In
2003 she performed in 54 concerts for the "Night of the Proms"
Tour across Europe to an estimated audience of 800,000.
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As
soloist she has performed with many leading orchestras, including : English
Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Chamber
Orchestra, Northern Symphonia Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra,London Chamber Orchestra, Hungarian
Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic
Orchestra.
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Xuefei
has also appeared on numerous radio and television programs in different
countries, including performances on ITV1 from the 2008 Classical Brit Awards ; on Radio 3 as part of the
BBC Proms, and an appearance on Woman’s Hour on Radio 4. In 2006, CCTV in
China made an biographical television documentary on Xuefei.
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In
2005 Xuefei received the honour of being made an Associate of the Royal
Academy of Music, for her outstanding achievements.
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Recording artist
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 In 2005, Xuefei signed an exclusive international
contract with EMI Classic. Her debut EMI album, “Romance de Amor,” was
released in April 2006. In Hong Kong, the album was awarded a gold disk,
and reached number two in the hit charts, remaining in the top ten for
several months. It also reached number 3 in the iTunes Top Albums chart in
the UK.
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 Her
second EMI album, 40 Degrees North, featuring music from Spain and her
homeland of China, was released in April 2008.
It reached number 2
in the UK Amazon, Chamber Music and Instrumental chart.
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 Xuefei recorded two other albums prior to signing with
EMI. The second of these recordings (Si Ji, meaning Four Seasons) was
dedicated to Xuefei’s homeland of China. It featured many new Chinese
inspired compositions, written specifically for Xuefei.
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