Weichih (Rosa) is Chinese and was born in Taiwan. She grew up in a household of Chinese musicians, including her mother who played the Yang-Qin. Ms. Lee began to learn the Chinese zither at age seven. Her mother taught her the basic chord scructures and the Chinese JianPu musical notations. Ms. Lee later studied with Professor Teidon Wei to learn Chinese zither and music theory. She won the Taipei Musical Contest Youth Champion award in 1971, which encouraged her to pursue an advanced level in musical performance. In 1981 she had her first solo concert in the Taipei Musical Hall to a standing-room-only audience. She moved to the United States in 1985.
Ms. Lee has performed Chinese zither for 40 years and acts as cultural ambassador for her art form. She performs for many cultural events around Cleveland, such as WVIZ Public Television, Cleveland Asian Festival, Palace Theater, PM Magazine, museums, schools and colleges. She differentiates herself from others working in traditional zither music by demonstrating the artistic side of her music tradition and presenting the vast spiritual and profound meaning of the traditional classical repertoire. Through her music she tries to “touch the souls of the listeners” as well as pursue the highest level of artistic excellence. This achievement is the most significant part of her artistic expression and talent.
Ms. Lee was one of the first master artists to be awarded an OAC Traditional Arts Apprenticeship when the program was initiated in 2002, then the agency has awarded her many additional apprenticeships. Through the apprenticeships she not only teaches the instrumentation of the Chinese zither but also the important cultural aspects of the music to her apprentices. Her current apprentice, Anna Luu, began studying with Ms. Lee when she was eight years old. Master and apprentice were just awarded their fourth apprenticeship recommendation.
Ohio Heritage Fellowship Information
Ms. Lee received her Ohio Heritage Fellowship in 2014. She has performed Chinese zither for 40 years and acts as cultural ambassador for her art form. She performs for many cultural events around Cleveland, such as WVIZ Public Television, Cleveland Asian Festival, Palace Theater, PM Magazine, museums, schools and colleges. She differentiates herself from others working in traditional zither music by demonstrating the artistic side of her music tradition and presenting the vast spiritual and profound meaning of the traditional classical repertoire. Through her music she tries to “touch the souls of the listeners” as well as pursue the highest level of artistic excellence. This achievement is the most significant part of her artistic expression and talent.
Ms. Lee was one of the first master artists to be awarded an OAC Traditional Arts Apprenticeship when the program was initiated in 2002, then the agency has awarded her many additional apprenticeships. Through the apprenticeships she not only teaches the instrumentation of the Chinese zither but also the important cultural aspects of the music to her apprentices. Her current apprentice, Anna Luu, began studying with Ms. Lee when she was eight years old.
