Folk Arts - Master Artist - Henry Lip Louie

Henry Lip Louie is a master artist of Cantonese Opera and the Er-Hu. Louie first learned to play the Er-Hu, a traditional Cantonese musical instrument, while living in Toisian, China. Louie studied Cantonese Opera while attending school in China during the 1930s. Since his studies in China, Louie has further developed his musical techniques through hours of devotion and practice. Henry Lip Louie founded the Seattle-based Luck Ngi Musical Society over 65 years ago, sharing his passion for Cantonese Opera and Er-Hu music with others in his community.

As a recipient of a 2004 Apprenticeship grant, Louie taught apprentice Dara Ya Fang Er-Hu traditions and techniques. Dara Ya Fang has always been interested in the Er-Hu and Cantonese Opera. Dara has been a dedicated member of the Luck Ngi Musical Society for nearly ten years. Considering that Mr. Louie is currently 89 years of age, it is Dara’s wish to see that Louie’s Luck Ngi Musical Society continues to flourish. Dara wants to insure that the musical society continues to preserve this aspect of Chinese culture.