Qin Qian, a professional musician from Center City, uses the erhu to help connect Asian American seniors with their heritage and culture, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
Qian has played the two-stringed Chinese violin for 52 years, and each week she teaches seniors at Jin Se Nian Hua Adult Day Care Center in Chinatown how to play the instrument.
“When I teach the erhu, I think the senior citizens make more happier,” Qian said.
The instrument is played widely across China, and is able to help professionals like Qian a range of emotions, from sorrow and pure joy, to everything in between.
The seniors have said that the lessons and playing the erhu brings them closer to home.
For Qian, she takes pride in sharing the melodies of Chinese culture beyond just Chinatown, but throughout Philadelphia.
She performs at churches, schools, and community centers throughout the city.
It’s something she enjoys so much that the concept of retiring has never even crossed her mind.
“I hope when I’m age 90, 95, that I still can play on the stage,” said Qian.
Learn more about Qin Qian and how she uses her musical talents to help connect others to Asian culture and heritage in CBS News Philadelphia.
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