Folk Arts - Master Artist - Warren Chang

Warren Chang. Photo by Fritz Dent.

Though endangered in many areas, traditional Chinese music is a vibrant art. As China experienced many dynasty changes, music styles absorbed new influences, developing into a diverse repertoire of sound. During the political upheavals in China in the 1960’s and 1970’s many cultural traditions were nearly destroyed.

Born in Shanghai, China, Warren Chang began studying music at age seven. By age sixteen he had already appeared in many leading symphonies and opera companies throughout the major cities and provinces of China and Inner Mongolia. His work now attempts to re-establish Chinese music, bringing it back to life and popularizing the traditional sounds in the West. It is to this end that he founded Chinese Arts and Music Association and Seattle Chinese Orchestra.

A Chinese musical genius and master of the Erhu, a traditional bowed instrument with two strings and a three-octave range, Warren has played with many Washington symphony orchestras, including the Seattle Philharmonic, Port Angeles Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. His works have received international acclaim.

In 2002 Warren was awarded a Folk Arts Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the preservation of traditional Chinese Musical arts and culture.

Saari received Washington State's highest artistic honor in 2005 as the recipient of a Governor's Arts Award.