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A B O U T   U S

Emily Zhao founded the Sound of Wishes Ensemble (SoWE) in 2017. From its initial small group of Guzheng musicians, Sound of Wishes has always been dedicated to cultivating cultural diversity and helping under-resourced kids in the community.  

Every year, SoWE performs all throughout the Chicagoland area, with the goal of raising awareness for Eastern Asian culture and music. In addition, we are active on our Youtube  channel and offer Guzheng music lessons as well in hopes of inspiring others to learn, listen, and value Eastern music.
Through various fundraisers, scholarships, and donations, SoWE has raised over $10,000 for organizations committed to providing relief for kids with limited opportunities, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and Feeding America.
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Completely run by young adults, Sound of Wishes is officially regiestered as a 501c3 certified Nonprofit Organization. All donations and other proceeds go directly toward our mission.

For performance, Guzheng lessons, or inquiries, please email us, soundofwishes@gmail.com!

5 Departments
Applications

L e a r n  m o r e  a b o u t  e a c h  d i v i s i o n  h e r e !  A p p l y  b e l o w !

O U R  T E AM

A P P L I C A T I O N S

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW!  If you are interested in joining our team for any of the five divisions (see above), please fill out this brief FORM! We will get back to you to discuss your membership in greater detail.

Ensemble
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SOPHIA ZHAO

President/

Musical Performance

Sophia is currently a sophomore in highschool. She has been learning guzheng for 8 years. She has performed in numerous events such as the Chinese Fine Arts Society. Chinese New Year Celebration of the Garfield Park, local libraries, nursing homes, and charity concerts. Other than guzheng, she plays the piano and clarinet. At school she takes part in the Science Olympiad club, she enjoys studying astronomy and physics. She is an artist, learning at Xiangbin Art Studio for 8 years, participating in Scholastic Art and Writing competitions alike. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing, dancing, and tutoring english to children with limited opportunities.

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ANGELA WANG

Co-Founder/

Musical Performance 

Angela is currently an ninth-grader. She has been playing guzheng for eight years and has competed at multiple competitions and was the second-place winner in the Chinese instrument division at the 34th Music Festival in honor of Confucius. She has played at numerous performances, including the DePaul University 2020 Chinese Lunar New Year Gala, the Global Arts Festival, nursing homes, and charity concerts. She occasionally edits videos, for both SoWE and school projects. Apart from being a member of SoWE, Angela is also a member of Chicago Children’s Choir’s (CCC’s) neighborhood choir and a Tzu Shao volunteer for the Tzu Chi Foundation, an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to relieve the suffering of those in need and create a better world. She also does Chinese dance, hurdles, plays volleyball and badminton.

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JASMINE FONG

Musical Performance

Jasmine is currently a freshman in high school. She has been learning guzheng for 3 years as a student of Sowe founder Emily Zhao. She has performed at events such as Nursing Homes, Local Parks and Walk for Wishes. Other than guzheng, she takes part in Japanese dance and baking club at school. Along with Guzheng, Jasmine is also part of  the Red Dragon swim team. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to different places, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

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DANIEL WANG

Vice President/

Film Production Director

 

 

Daniel is currently a junior in high school. At SoWE, he is the Director of Film Production, and he manages the production and editing of videos for SoWE. Daniel has played the piano for 8 years. He is a Tzu Shao volunteer of Tzu Chi Foundation, which is an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to relieve the suffering of those in need and create a better world. Some of Daniel’s hobbies are sports and filmmaking. He has been playing soccer for 12 years, and does hurdles in track & field. Daniel also likes art and film. Daniel has learned Chinese painting for 6 years, and has participated in filmmaking programs at the Beverly Arts Center.

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MAXWELL YANG

Vice President/

Technology Director/

Musical Performance

Maxwell is currently a junior at Naperville Central High School and has played violin for seven years with 4 years at the Suzuki Music School in Naperville. He has played in numerous performances at school orchestras and the ILMEA Music Conference. In addition, he performed for various charities like Kids-Against-Hunger at the Spring Road Gazebo, and at several community nursing homes. Along with violin, Maxwell is also a part of the Lifetime Fitness' Rock Climbing Team.

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ANDREW LUO

Technology & Fil

 

Andrew is currently an 8th grader. He has started playing Guzheng recently, and joined SoWE in summer 2021. He is interested in Chinese culture, including arts, food, and dances. He likes to play the piano, and outside of

Sound of Wishes Ensemble, he is in Boy Scouts.

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RICHARD WANG

Technology

Richard is currently a rising ninth grader at Walter Payton College Prep and is currently learning to play the piano. He is interested in learning more about Chinese history and stories, such as poems and idioms. He swims, rows, and enjoys playing chess in his free time.

Board of Directors

B O A R D  O F  D I R E C T O R S

Sound of Wishes' official 501c3 Nonprofit Core Board of Directors: 

President: Sophia Zhao

Vice Presidents: Angela Wang/ Daniel Wang

Treasurer: Hui He

Secretary: Jindan Yu

Legal Officer: Jenny Yang

Marketing Officer: Pei Cai

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ALUMNI

EMILY ZHAO 
FOUNDER/PRESIDENT EMERITUS

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

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ELI XU
TECHNOLOGY LEAD

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
 

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