Rong Jun - erhu instructor at Capilano University
戎峻 Capilano 大学二胡专业教师
Jun Rong is an Erhu instructor at Capilano University and teaches
the very first Erhu Major in Vancouver. She is also the Vancouver alumni association vice president of the China Conservatory of Music.
Jun learned Erhu from her father ever since she was a child. She was admitted into the China Conservatory of Music high school at the age of 12, under Qing Jiang (daughter of Mr. Fengzhi Jiang master and pioneer of Erhu), Churong He, and Professor Zunlian Zhang’s tutelage. She then was admitted into the China Conservatory of Music undergraduate program under professor Dewei Cao's apprenticeship. During school, she majored in Erhu with a minor in Guzheng and piano. Upon graduation, she received a bachelor's degree with honours from the China Conservatory of Music and successfully held a Erhu solo concert. After graduation, Jun worked at the China Opera and Dance Orchestra as an Erhu soloist and band performer. Jun, along with the China Opera and Dance Orchestra, performed in multiple countries across the world.
After moving to Canada, Jun continued her Erhu career in Vancouver's growing multi-cultural music scene. She has participated in large-scale symphony concerts, chamber concerts, film dubbings, CD recordings, music festivals, and Canadian national television and radio. Her musical skills gained wide recognition from industry professionals, and audiences from all cultures are captivated by her performances.
Jun has performed with major symphony orchestras in Canada, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The Vancouver Chinese Cultural Centre invited Jun to be a soloist in collaboration with the internationally renowned Vega String Quartet from New York. Concert critics from the Vancouver Sun newspaper called it "a brilliant Erhu performance."
In addition to playing traditional Chinese repertoire, Jun has made many cross-cultural collaborations. As part of the Erhu and Harp Duet, Jun collaborated with local harpists to develop a unique music style combining Chinese and Western music. The Erhu and Harp Duet performed at many festivals and were invited to perform at the Vancouver World Harp Convention opening ceremony. Jun also played Gaohu and Erhu in the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra.
Jun has released several CDs. In particular, Jun has published a highly academic commemorative CD for the 120th anniversary of Liu Tianhua called "10 masterworks of Liu Tianhua" in collaboration with prestigious Chinese music publishing houses. Liu Tianhua was the most important Chinese composer for erhu music in the 20th century.
Jun is also a very experienced teacher. She teaches various Erhu courses systematically for students of different ages and levels. Her teaching methods are well-diversified, from individual lessons to large-scale seminars. Jun also runs her own Erhu studio. Her students have made excellent achievements. One student has played with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre to promote multi-cultural music to school audiences from the Vancouver School Board. Her student from Capilano University has won the top prize at a music competition within the University.