Featured Artists

The Town of East Gwillimbury (EG) recognizes local artists for their work. Please submit a Virtual Art Display Application Form if you would like to showcase your talent on the Town's website!

If you know of an artist or artistic group who you think should be recognized, nominate them to be a Featured Artist.

Music

Di Zhang

Di Zhang (MA and Ph.D. in Music from York University) is an ethnomusicologist, improvisor, performer, and researcher active in Canada's Music scene and academic discipline. She has performed at the Toronto Music Garden, Wilfred Laurier University, York University, and the University of Toronto, among others.  Tours have led her to performances in Vancouver, Montreal, Regina, Prince Edward Island, Saskatoon, Macau, Mainland China, and Portugal.

In addition to her performance, she is especially interested in ethnomusicology, classical and contemporary music improvisation, improvisation pedagogy, and composition. She was the director of several projects, including York University's Global Improvisation Lab, World Music Ensemble, and CD album the Path to Contemporary.  Her improvisation and original work are featured on the CD, which is one of the pioneers of the yangqin album featuring jazz and contemporary improvisation, has been heard in concert performances, and is available on several videos that presented Live Transcontinental Improvisation in performance. Her research thus far has revolved around the cultural study of the yangqin, pedagogical approaches to improvisation, and the influence of the Silk Road and China’s New Government on the development of Chinese music, the limitation of Chinese music education system in modern society, a pedagogical model in teaching improvisation, etc.

Di is dedicated to and passionate about the promotion of new music. By sharing her experience in music creation and performance, she is willing to create and explore new music by a blend of world music elements and contemporary composition methodology.