Adjunct Professor of Arts
Ai’ai Duan
Duan Aiai is one of the most celebrated and prominent erhu soloists today. An erhu soloist with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, President of the Erhu Professional Committee of the Shanghai Musicians’ Association, China Nationalities Orchestra Society Executive Council Member, Visiting Professor of the Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Adjunct Professor of Arts of the New York University at Shanghai. And in 2018, She was appointed as the Professor for Master Degree of Performing Arts (Erhu) by the Shanghai Normal University Music College.
Aiai began learning the erhu at the age of six under Liu Yi’an. With her talent and audition result, she was admitted to the prestigious affiliated Elementary and Middle-School of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SCM) to study music performing arts. In 1993, she was offered full scholarship to study under Professor Wang Yong De at the renowned SCM. Aiai graduated with high distinction in Chinese Music Performing Arts degree from SCM. She was invited to join the renowned Shanghai Oriental Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra and later, Shanghai Chinese Orchestra as its Concert Master. Aiai was extensively invited to perform solo and concerto by renowned festivals such as the China Arts Festival closing, Shanghai Spring Music International Festival opening, Shanghai International Arts Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival opening, World Broadcasting Day Festive Concert, China Northeast Music Festival opening, China Symphony Music Festival closing, Taipei Traditional Arts Festival opening, China Huqin Festival opening concert, Best China erhu soloists concert, and the International Huqin Festival concert. In 2013, she was awarded the honorary title of the “March 8 Red-banner Pacesetter” for her outstanding achievements by the Shanghai Women’s Federation.
Aiai has been extensively engaged and collaborated with reputable international and local orchestras as soloist including the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Macao Chinese Orchestra, Taipei Chinese Orchestra, Taiwan National Chinese Orchestra and Ningbo Symphony Orchestra. To date, Aiai has staged more than 2000 concerts, for almost 3 million audiences over 50 countries and cities with standing ovation and positive acclaims.
Aiai is a well-rounded musician and dedicated Chinese music advocate. With a career spanning more than 20 years as a soloist, orchestra concert master, chamber musician and recording artist, Aiai has been involved in recording as soloist for television drama series, movies and large scale productions. Her discography includes solo albums, DVDs, recording tracks in spottify and apple itunes store. With her passion in sharing knowledge of music, she was invited to speak, conduct master classes and adjudicate major Chinese musical instrumental competitions in China and the world.
Duan Aiai is a soloist with deep and devoted musical expression complemented with a natural artistic charm, unique insights and infectious melodies. Please surf her music at the itunes and spottify.
