Honorary Professorship Award Ceremony for Chinese Erhu Virtuoso Ms Ma Xiaohui and Presentation on ‘Psychology of Music Healing the Soul’

Speaker: Ms Ma Xiaohui, Erhu Virtuoso and First-Level Traditional Artist

Guest Speaker: Dr Timothy Kelly, Professor and Doctor of Psychology

Organiser: Fuxing Ma Xiaohui Art Studio, The Sino-British College, USST

Honorary Professorship Award Ceremony for Chinese Erhu Virtuoso Ms Ma Xiaohui

As outlined in Vision 2025, our goal is to be renowned as an international hub and centre of excellence, attracting students and faculty from all over the world, with a reputation for developing socially responsible and innovative leaders capable of operating in different cultures. Cultural empathy is one of the three overarching themes of the College, representing attributes that SBC values and seeks to develop in all students and staff. It is believed that the introduction of high-level experts from external organisations as Visiting/Honoary Professors of SBC will fulfill such demand and requirement.

Psychology of Music Healing the Soul: Sunshine in Winter

Internationally renowned Erhu Virtuoso Ms Ma Xiaohui invites well-known psychologist Dr Tim Kelly to join her for a combination of dialogue and music. Words and melogies are combined to move the audience to a place of ‘sunshine in winter’. Students and faculty will discover how music truly can heal the soul, and the goal is for all to have a peak experience filling the heart with peace and joy. 

Part 1:

The Power of Music – History and Science

Part 2:

The Healing Power of Music Therapy and Relaxation Strategies

Part 3:

The Power of Music to Bring Beauty, Blessing and Love

Erhu Virtuoso Ma Xiaohui

Ma Xiaohui is one of the few traditional classical Chinese musicians who has achieved an international career. She speaks with the world through her Erhu (Chinese violin) and has received numerous honors and awards, such as the Kennedy Center’s “Best Performance” award in Washington, D.C. Ma Xiaohui is perhaps best recognized for her famous duet with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on the Oscar-winning sound track forthe film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in 2000. She has worked with famous conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel and David Stern, and has performed in such venues as the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Ensemble, the French International Orchestra, and the Vienna Golden Hall. Ma Xiaohui has accepted many scholarships to serve as a visiting professor at major universities around the world, offering master classes and lectures on Chinese culture and music.

Dr. Timothy Kelly

Dr. Timothy Kelly is a well-known Professor and Doctor of Psychology. He has authored many articles and book chapters, as well as a well-received book titled “Healing the Broken Mind” (NYU Press; 2009). Dr. Kelly is also a guitarist and vocalist, and as professor he has researched the psychological benefits of music. He was fortunate to meet Erhu Maestro Ma Xiaohui, the “YoYo Ma of Erhu,” who is very interested in the healing power of music as well. Since 2008 they have collaborated indeveloping an interactive lecture-concert titled “The Healing Power of ErhuMusic,” based in the Ma Xiaohui Intercultural Art Studio (Shanghai). This two-hour presentation has been offered over 50 times, primarily in China but also in the US. It has generated rave reviews, with many ofthe audience proclaiming a transformational and healing experience.