Black teenage boy becomes new star in Chinese opera

[character]

Black teenage boy becomes new star in Chinese opera

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-07/28/c_131015033.htm

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A black teenage boy, named Tyler Thompson, can not only sing Chinese opera very well, but also perform the ancient Chinese art form wonderfully, according to AP’s report.

The 15-year-old Tyler is a top student in Chew's Oakland-based Purple Silk Music Education program, which teaches students who are mostly from low-income immigrant families to sing and play traditional Chinese music. [...]

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Also: http://www.wral.com/entertainment/story/9913538/

"It's very authentic because he hits the tones just right, so you understand everything," Lei said. "People just don't expect an Afro-American kid to be doing it. It's the initial shock. There's a sense of novelty."

Tyler, who comes from a music-loving family, began learning how to sing in Chinese a decade ago when he was a kindergartner in Chew's music class at Oakland's Lincoln Elementary School, where about 90 percent of students are Asian.

[skylee]

But that is not Chinese opera. It is the theme song of the Taiwanese TV show 包青天

[Meng Lelan]

Not bad, though if he's serious about Chinese opera he will need lots of work on movement, hand gestures, dance, etc.

[character]

But that is not Chinese opera. It is the theme song of the Taiwanese TV show 包青天

Yes, but it's the only YT video of him performing that I could find.

I thought it was interesting that he could get the tones down so well just learning to sing (and he doesn't have much command of spoken Chinese). Maybe I should try some kid's songs and see if it helps my sad, sad tones.

I'm not sure what sort of career he could have; I guess we'll see if he makes it over to China. I hope he doesn't get stuck just performing Justice Bao.

[Meng Lelan]

He probably could compete in the Chinese Bridge contest with the Justice Bao performance. The Chinese Bridge loves stuff like this.