Liuqin & Ruan

“Liu“ in Chinese means willow. “Qin“ means music instrument. The name “Liuqin“ comes from the fact that the instrument is made of willow wood and shaped like a willow leaf. The earliest precursor of the modern four-stringed Lingqin appeared and experienced popularity during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 907). It has been an accompaniment instrument in folk Chinese opera and in narrative music for much of dynastic China. The modernization of Liuqin in 1970s resulted in a gradual elevation in status of liuqin to an instrument well-appreciated for its unique tonal and acoustic qualities. Crisp and bright, the Liuqin is the highest-pitched member of the plucked strings but its volume is small. It is capable of producing an exciting and agitating tune when played loudly, and a sweet and touching tune when played softly.

“Ruan“ has over 2000 years of history. It was first named ruanxian, after a famous musician Ruan Xian, one of the reputed “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove” of the Six Dynasties period in ancient China. In its hirtory, ruan was also termed as “qin pipa” and “yueqin” (moon-shaped lute). Ruan is a lute with a fretted neck, a circular body, and four strings. Its strings were formerly made of silk, but since the 20th century they have been made of steel (flatwound for the lower strings). Mellow in tone quality, it is often seen in ensembles or in accompaniments, and as a solo instrument in recent years. In Chinese orchestras, only the Zhongruan and Daruan are commonly used, to fill in the alto and bass section of the plucked string section.

Ilan Emily Lin, an experienced music performing artist and music educator, graduated from Huagang Art School in Taipei, Taiwan, obtained a degree from the Department of Chinese Music at the Chinese Culture University, and later obtained a Masters in Music Education from Penn State University in the United States. She has studied piano since the age of six; and at the age of nine, she started playing liuqin, participating in stage performances with Ms. Cheng Tzuiping. She has performed in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, France, and the United States. She has performed with many different orchestras and music artists. She also won many first prizes in liuqin and ruan, in Taipei East District, and first and second in the liuqin group of the Taiwan National Music Competition. In 1999, she performed Mr. Wang Huiran’s liuqin composition “Melody on a Moonlit River“ in the National Concert Hall of Taiwan. She is currently actively participating in various solo and ensemble performances in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has studied with many plucked string masters: Cheng Tsuiping, Liu Ziqing, Lin Jinghui, Wang Showchen, and Ruan Shichun. Also studied with many plucked string masters who visited the Taipei Liuqin Chamber Orchestra from 1993 to 2001, including Mr. Liu Xing, Mr. Zhang Xinhua, Mr. Zhang Dasen, Mr. Yu Liangmo, Mr. Wang Huiran, Mr. Gao Huaxin, Mr. Gu Guanren and other masters studied. She is one of the founding members of the Taipei Liuqin Chamber Orchestra, and has been a member of the Taipei Chinese Youth Orchestra, the Keelung City Orchestra, and the Huagang Yuanxiang Chamber Orchestra, as liuqin and ruan performer and administrative staff. In 2000, she served as the jury examiner for the Taipei Folk Orchestra. She studied basic music theory with Mr. Su Wencheng and Mr. Chen Ruchi, composition and orchestration from Mr. Lo Leungfei and Dr. Robert Gardner. In 2003, she held two very successful solo recitals at Penn State University. One was in January and consisted of solo performances of traditional liuqin pieces. The other one, in October, included an adapted violin piece from the famous Chinese violin concerto “Liang Zhu“; it also included a world premiere of “The Praise of the Ocean“ a liuqin and guitar duet with the composer and guitarist Dr. Jason Fick performing the guitar part. In 2007 and 2008, she performed the liuqin solo pieces “Sword Dance“ and “Playful Willow Mandolin“ at the California Theater in San Jose, California, with the Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra. In 2015, she performed at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, California, Zhongruan solo “The moon over Guan Mountain” with the Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra. In November 2017, she held a joint concert with erhu player John Chiang and guzheng player Emma Lin in San Jose, California, USA, which served as the premiere of many new compositions, including a piece combined with electronic music, and an arrangement and variations for solo liuqin of the English folk song “Greensleeves“. In 2008, she performed liuqin solo “Northern Shaanxi Capriccio“ at San Jose State University in the United States. In 2019, she held a concert at the Santa Clara University Recital Hall, Santa Clara, California USA with pianist Ami Zjou and erhu player John Chiang. In this concert, a premiere of a new ruan solo “Moon on High“ with piano accompaniment and her new arrangement and variations on “Scarborough Fair“ trio were performed. In 2019, she had a performance in France, Gemenos “Cultures Du Monde”, with Grass Mountain Folk Orchestra.

She has been a member of the National Music Teachers Association, the American Music Education Association, the Pennsylvania Music Education Association, and the California Music Education Association. She is currently a member of the American College of Musicians, the Northern California Chinese Music Teachers Association, and the California Music Teachers Associariccio at San Jose State University in the United States. In 2019, she held a concert at the Santa Clara University Recital Hall, Santa Clara, California USA with pianist Ami Zjou and erhu player John Chiang. In this concert, a premiere of a new ruan solo “Moon on High“ with piano accompaniment and her new arrangement and variations on “Scarborough Fair“ trio were performed. In 2019, she had a performance in France, Gemenos “Cultures Du Monde”, with Grass Mountain Folk Orchestra.

Flyers and Recital Links

We are taking both Ms.Lin’s group and one on one web classes. Through the web classes, not only Ms. Lin can guide students for their improvement, clearly demonstrate music pieces and techniques, but also can appeal to students’ attention for study, as same as the onsite class. We have pleasant experience with Ms. Lin’s web class.

— Kandace’s mom

Teacher Lin has been my son’s ZhongRuan teacher since 2017. She is always very professional and encouraging. she cares about her student and really focuses on honing her student’s basic skills. It makes a big difference and goes a long way. Ms. Lin is a great Chinese music teacher and we are very fortunate to have her.

— Christopher He’s mom 2/29/2020

Haotian studied Ruan for five years under Ms. Lin. She continuously teaches him correct fingering and music theory, and helps him get over any mistakes he made. Thank Ms. Lin very much for her patient guidance over the years!

— Houtian Zhu’s mom 2/29/2020

Ms. Lin has made the transition to online music learning easy. She is organized and sends out the meeting links well ahead of the weekly class time. In addition to her online class instruction, she also shares follow up videos showing her students how to tune their liuqin instrument at home and how to play new musical pieces she has taught so her students can practice effectively during the week. We thank Ms. Lin for being a sincere and dedicated teacher in person and online.

— Clara Gray’s mom

Ms. Lin is a very skillful Liuqin artist. She’s strict with students, so students can learn and improve. My daughter has been studying with her for nine years. We like her very much.

— Nicole Jin’s mom

Aimusic / Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra has the best caliber instructors.  My son Matthew has been taking Liuqin and Ruan lessons with Emily Lin for 9 years. Ms. Lin is very focused when she is teaching and responsive to student inquiries. Matthew learns and enjoys Emily’s classes. Thank you Ms. Lin for all the help and support to Matthew and we look forward to more fun and learning in the years to come. 

— Mathew’mom Emily Banh

After we started recent web group class, we have noticed Ms. Lin demonstrate lots of details in web class, such as basic “Tantiao” pick stroke, fingering, tempo for pieces and proper posture. My two daughters have learned a lot through web group class. Ms. Lin also has advanced music arrangement skill, which reflects on the recent Liuqin and Zhongruan Ensemble pieces that specifically designed for the group project. We are pleased to study with Ms. Lin.

— Dad of Jasmine and Jessy Yeh

Ms. Lin teaches students with her full focus and attention, an excellent teacher with enthusiastic in teaching, also being patient with students. Kyle has been learning a lot with Ms. Lin.

— Kyle mom Claire Kao

Dear Lin Lao Shi,

Thank you very much for teaching me playing Liuqin over the past three years. I feel that I improved a lot on Liuqin skills ever since I started studying from you. I was totally new to Liuqin initially, but now I can play some relatively complicated songs. I picked up some new skills every time I took your class. As time goes, I build more and more confidence and start to play Liuqin more confidently.

Thank you very much for teaching me not only how to play Liuqin, but also how to appreciate music. I really appreciate your guidance on learning basic and comprehensive Liuqin skills, which I have been using whenever I play Liuqin. When I started learning, I did not know how to play Liuqin, so I did not like it at all. After I learned from you for a while, I started to like and enjoy music since I understand music more and more. I really appreciate what you have taught me. I will continue to play Liuqin and enjoy music. I am looking forward to learning more from you in the coming years.

Thank you and regards,

— Claire Chen

We are very grateful to have Mrs. Emily Lin as our 6yo and 10yo’s Liuqin and Ruan teacher. Mrs. Lin taught them from ground zero, and very skillful guide them through each detailed work as well as keep their highly interests in music tones. My daughters enjoyed the fingering, techniques and melody of the Chinese instruments. Mrs. Lin is very patient, easy communicating, passionate, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She shows us how a real musician and a real music loving teacher can be. We really appreciated Mrs.Lin’s incredible work!

— Annabelle & Kalyn Mom Pearl Wang

I’ve been with Ms. Lin for the past three years playing Zhong Ruan and this is currently my fourth year. I switched instruments after I joined FYCO. Despite not knowing anything about the Zhong Ruan, Ms. Lin was very patient with me and taught me how to play from the basics. She’s very set on students developing a strong basic foundation in which other skills are based on. When there are more difficult parts in my music, she’ll patiently go over it with me until I can get it down. She is also very punctual and is never late to my classes whether it’s my lesson at FYCO or private lessons. She always takes notes during my lessons so I can always go back to them for reference. The notes are something I can go back to see the improvements I’ve made as Ms. Lin’s student.

— Student Emily Lam

My daughter Summer has been learning to play Liuqin with Ms. Lin for more than two years. Ms. Lin ’s teaching attitude is serious, especially in the training of basic skills. Since Summer has no musical theory before learning Liuqin, Ms. Lin patiently teaches music theory in every class, Summer used to can only read the numeral musical notation, but now she can read the staff notation. Ms. Lin’s teaching repertoire is rich. In addition to traditional Chinese music, she also brings some Western popular music to enhance children’s interest in learning. Every year, children are encouraged to perform on stage to build their confidence and motivation as learning progress. Especially in Silicon Valley, it is really rare to find music teachers who are proficient in Chinese and Western musical instruments.

— Summer Wang mom