The Ubuntu String Quartet specializes in non-conventional repertoire, such as folk tunes and mainstream songs in addition to their classical collection. Ubuntu is South African for “human compassion”, and is also the idiom “I am what I am through each of us,” which strongly reflects their chemistry. Our familiarity with each other has sprouted great bonding during rehearsals, which is evident in their performances. USQ has performed for company events, formals, weddings, and even comedy shows. Our repertoire is limitless because of Adrian Pang, USQ’s cellist and skilled transcriber. Adrian began transcribing since middle school, and USQ is the perfect opportunity to showcase his many years of work and his new arrangements. Therefore, song requests from any genre are accepted. Examples of past requests include Skrillex, folk songs, and video game music. As a pre-existing quartet, they are excited to continue performing with their extensive repertoire.
Kurt Chen is a first-year at the UBC School of Music. His interest in violin emerged at the age of four and began learning under Mo Yeung, followed by Siu Feng Wei, Evelyn Creaser-Rumley, and Nicholas Wright. Currently, he studies with David Gillham at UBC. He has been a member of the Vancouver Academy of Music’s orchestras and the Chamber Music Institute. Kurt has had the opportunity to perform and share his passion in a variety of a locations. Most recently, Kurt travelled to Hong Kong to teach young musicians orchestral playing. He also was given the opportunity to attend the Banff International String Quartet Competition with the Kolden Quartet in August of 2016 to learn from talented musicians such as Barry Shiffman and the Dover Quartet.
Yiyi is a first-year at the UBC School of Music. She began playing the violin over ten years ago, studying with Carla Birston in White Rock. Yiyi competed in local music festivals since the age of seven, and won numerous scholarship awards. Two years ago, she received her certificate as an Associate of The Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) for piano performance, as well as the ARCT certificate for violin performance in 2016. Yiyi has over nine years of orchestral playing experience. She first joined the Semiahmoo Strings in White Rock, then became concertmaster of the Sinfonietta Strings at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. Yiyi’s passion for music contributed to her decision in pursuing violin performance, studying with David Gillham at UBC.
Adrian is a second-year at UBC pursuing a double major in computer science and cello performance. With years of experience arranging songs for string quartet, his work has contributed immensely to USQ’s repertoire list. He also accepts arrangement requests unrelated to USQ for various kinds of events. Adrian has played the cello for over 12 years, and is also versed in double bass, electric bass, piano, and percussion. Occasionally, Adrian composes electronic music and edits or loops his cello to create music. Aside from his musical interests, Adrian studies data basing and machine learning in computer sciences.
Amanda Pang studies viola performance under Emilie Grimes and business management at UBC. Amanda was principal and co-principal of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Youth Philharmonic, WMEA All-State Chamber Orchestra, and UBCSO. She has performed as a soloist with SYP and her high school symphony. She placed first in the Max Aronoff Viola Institute’s Thorbeck Competition in 2010, and received Redmond Junior High’s Musician of the Year Award the year after. She became another inspiration in 2013, receiving BYSO’s Most Inspirational Musician Award. In 2014, she competed in Gresham's Northwest Orchestra Festival and PAfE for chamber ensemble, dominating both competitions. She has also co-transcribed works for the Marrowstone in the City summer camp. Throughout her career, she has studied and performed in masterclasses with David Harding, Cynthia Morrow-Hattal, Toby Appel, and Yo-Yo Ma.
