Posts in category: MUSICIANS

FAN Ziyan范子燕 (Pipa)

FAN Ziyan范子燕
FAN Ziyan is a distinguished performer of traditional Chinese instruments，Pipa, Ruan and Liuqin. She completed her undergraduate studies with a double major in Music and Economics at South China Normal University. FAN Ziyan, rooted in a profound passion for traditional Chinese music, Ziyan’s artistry unveils a rich tapestry of cultural resonance.

Commencing her musical odyssey at the age of 7, Ziyan’s mastery of the pipa, ruan, and liuqin with Liu Henan 刘赫男，Liu Huanzhang 刘焕章，Liu Yin 刘茵，Liu Zhan 刘展，Ning Haitian 宁海天，Ning Yong 宁勇 has led to remarkable collaborations, notably with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Her participation in the collaborative project, “Iris unveiled,” featuring the works of Chinese-French composer Chen Qigang, showcased at the Sydney Opera House, marks a pinnacle in her career. Teaming up with Australian conductor George Ellis, Ziyan transported audiences with the evocative Pipa concerto, “Spring of Tianshan,” resonating within the hallowed halls of the Sydney Town Hall and the Concourse Chatswood. Ziyan’s orchestral contributions since 2007, including engagements with the Sydney Chinese Orchestra, Guangdong National Orchestra, and Guangzhou National Orchestra, underscore her commitment to the elevation of Chinese musical traditions. Ziyan’s impact extends beyond performances.

Having coached hundreds students in the past 13 years, she passionately imparts the depth and beauty of traditional Chinese music. She currently teaches at the Chinese Music Ensemble at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

MUSICIANS – New Year’s Concert 2025

Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Conductor – Dr Brian Chatpo Koo
Concertmaster – Marcella Felicia

Marcella Felicia (violin soloist)

Marcella Felicia is recognized as one of the leading violinists and educators in both
Indonesia and Australia. She began her violin studies at the age of six under the guidance
of Welly Liando, followed by Shienny Kurniawati and Finna Kurniawati in Indonesia, and
Matt Bruce in Australia.

Marcella made her professional debut at the age of 12, performing “Handel’s Messiah”
Concert in 2010. She went on to build a successful freelance career that spans a wide
range of musical genres, frequently collaborating on music video recordings in both
Indonesia and Australia. In 2017, she expanded her string instrument repertoire by taking
up the viola. During her time in Indonesia, Marcella performed regularly as first violinist
and violist with the Surabaya String Orchestra, working under renowned Indonesian
composers and conductors such as Ananda Sukarlan, Addie M.S., and Avip Priatna. She
has also collaborated with prominent musicians including Sam Haywood (UK), Prof. Nigel
Clayton (Royal College of Music), Dr. Imma Setiadi (Royal College of Music), and Gia
Jashvili (Georgia).

Marcella holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance, awarded with a scholarship for
Excellence in Performance and Research. She later continued her studies at the
Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. In 2019, she participated in the Singapore Violin
Festival, where she studied with esteemed professors such as Prof. Boris Garlitsky
(Russia), Prof. Moni Simeonov (Bulgaria), and Prof. Xie Nan (China). She has also
participated in masterclasses with Prof. Yin Ke (Singapore), Prof. Boris Garlitsky (Russia),
Prof. Xie Nan (China), and Gia Jashvili (Georgia).

In 2022, Marcella played in the prestigious G20 Orchestra, which premiered at the
Borobudur Temple in Indonesia. The orchestra featured top musicians from G20 countries,
and Marcella embraced the challenge of performing on the viola in this distinguished
ensemble. She has also performed with several prominent orchestras, including the
Sydney Youth Orchestra, Sydney Concert Orchestra, Sydney Contemporary Orchestra,
Balmain Sinfonia, and Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

A highly accomplished musician, Marcella has won numerous competitions in Indonesia
and now shares her expertise through teaching. In June 2024, she was invited to perform
classical works, alongside pieces by renowned Indonesian composer Ananda Sukarlan, in
a recital celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and
Finland. The recital also featured the world premiere of “Findolandesia”, a work for violin
and piano written by Sukarlan for the occasion. Later that year, in August 2024, Marcella
was invited to perform Sukarlan’s new compositions, “The Two Australian Songs”, at the
Australian Institute of Music in Sydney, celebrating Indonesian Independence Day. These
pieces were first premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in Jakarta.

Musicians 3 2024

Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Conductor – Dr Brian Chatpo Koo
Concertmaster – Beata Stanowska

Musicians 2 2024

Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Conductor – Dr Brian Chatpo Koo
Concertmaster – Beata Stanowska

Musicians 1 2024

Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Conductor – Dr Brian Chatpo Koo
Concertmaster – Beata Stanowska