Twelve-year-old violinist Ziqian Zhou, who began studying the instrument at age five and has served as concertmaster for multiple Suzhou youth ensembles, joined the Nov. 24 “Through Time with Music” performance at Duke Kunshan University as one of the youngest musicians on stage.
Zhou, who joined the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2023 and has performed in charity concerts and youth solo recitals across China, said playing alongside DKU students pushed him into a new level of flow.
“There were outstanding DKU musicians all around me, and being in that environment helped me naturally get into a really good state,” Zhou said. “I watched their techniques closely and followed the conductor’s guidance, and the combination created a strong musical flow.”
Held at DKU’s theater, the concert brought together nearly 50 young musicians from DKU and the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Curated by Maximiliano Amici, assistant professor of music and composition at DKU, the concert featured chamber selections by composers including Beethoven and Paganini, followed by a full-orchestra performance that moved from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” to themes from “Harry Potter” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Charles Jiran Niu, instructor of music at DKU, led the combined orchestra. He said he chose the repertoire to help younger musicians connect with the music.
“I chose these pieces because everyone recognizes music from Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean,” he said. “I wanted the students to feel the joy of playing in an orchestra in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Hopefully that helps them develop a long-lasting appreciation for music and create good memories.”
For DKU performers, the collaboration offered a new creative spark.
“The moment we played Pirates of the Caribbean really moved me,” said Yuruo Zhang, Class of 2027. “The collaboration brought the energy of youth and adventure to the piece.”
Maximiliano Amici said the initiative reflects DKU’s ongoing effort to build a global university with strong community connections.
“A performance-based institution and a university working together bring diverse viewpoints,” Amici said. “Students get to work with the local community, get exposure to new repertoire and talented young musicians, and participate in an ensemble that’s bigger than themselves.”
Audience members said the concert was both energetic and heartfelt.
“I don’t know much about music, but the atmosphere was immersive,” said Hai Yen Nguyen, Class of 2028. “You could feel how much joy the performers brought to it.”
