Join curator/host Cassius Khan and a variety of highly accomplished musicians and tea specialists as they immerse you in the cultures of the world, bringing you connection to generations past through songs and experiences that have endured for thousands of years.

On March 26th, renowned Guzheng performer Sarah Yusha Tan is the honoured artist for an illuminating afternoon of music and refreshments. This event is free and welcome to all.

About Sarah Yusha Tan
Sarah Yusha Tan is a Guzheng performer and tutor based in Vancouver. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Zheng performance from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, one of the leading conservatories in China. Her exceptional talent was recognized at an early stage when she won the silver medal in the Asian Youth Music Competition in Singapore.

Sarah’s musical journey since moving to Canada has been dedicated to exploring the fusion of traditional folk music with intercultural music. She is a prominent member of several music ensembles, including the B.C Chinese Music Ensemble, the Vancouver Chinese Music ensemble, and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra. Throughout her career, Sarah has been a sought-after performer, showcasing her skills at various concerts and music festivals, including the Vancouver Jazz Festival, the Folk Music Festival, the Sound of Dragon Music Festival, and the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Her innovative performances, including the premiere of new compositions by various composers, have earned her critical acclaim. Sarah’s musical talent can be heard on albums such as “Jasmine Jazz” and “Going Back,” and she has also participated in live pop music performances.

In addition to her performance career, Sarah is a highly regarded teacher, having won recognition as an excellent tutor on multiple occasions. Her students have achieved remarkable success in domestic and international competitions, including earning gold, silver, and bronze awards.

About Cassius Khan
Canada’s most recognizable Indian Classical musician, the globally renowned Cassius Khan is a performer of combining the Classical styles of Ghazal/Thumri singing and the Tabla, the North Indian pair of drums and presents both, simultaneously. He is the senior disciples of the late Malika e Tarannum Mushtari Begum (Dec 25th 1934-March 14th 2004) and Tabla maestro Ustad Rukhsar Ali, who belongs to the Delhi Gharana of Tabla playing. Combining Indian Classical singing with Tabla, for a single artist, is a first in Indian classical music. Many noted Indian Classical Music gurus have proclaimed that singing and playing Tabla in unison is a difficult feat to master as Tabla playing requires skill and strength, as well as an absolute concentration on the kaleidoscopic rhythm patterns of the repertoire, and singing requires absolute skill in the execution of notes and vibrations of the voice and excellent breathing control. Khan’s trademark is performing the extremely rare and difficult “Tarannum Ang Gayaki style” in which the lyrics share a different metre from the rhythm but they join at the Sum point in a certain phrase.

This event is free and welcome to all.

Presented with the support of the Massey Theatre, City of New Westminster and Province of British Columbia