When the yangqin's oriental melody echoes the Louvre's artistry, and watercolor brushstrokes capture traditional imagery for exhibition there — Celine Chen, Grade 6 student from YWIES Tongxiang and awardee of the YCYW Art Scholarship through her inter-disciplinary talents in yangqin and painting. With a vivid yet serene artistic voice, she embodies the charm of a "refined young artist."

G6 陈思霖 Celine CHEN

Fresh off recent dual major honors, she brought her quiet composure to a school interview, softly sharing insights and dedication from her artistic journey, and adding a warm vibrancy to the campus art scene.

Oriental Perseverance in Yangqin Melodies

"Yao Mountain Night" Flowing Through Fingers

First encountering the yangqin in Grade 1, Celine has accompanied this traditional instrument with remarkable focus beyond her years. Having successfully passed the Level 9 yangqin exam, she plans to steadily pursue Level 10 next year.

When talking about winning the "Outstanding Star" title at Tongxiang's "Refined Youth" Instrumental Competition, Celine's eyes shine softly—warmth born of passion. She specially chose Yao Mountain Night, inspired by Guangxi's Yao ethnic customs; its melody, blending mountain vitality with moonlit tranquility, narrates the charm of Oriental aesthetics.

"It took me months to practice this piece—the hardest part was mastering the dynamic rhythm changes: conveying the Yao people's passion without disrupting the night scene's serene charm," Celine shared softly, her words brimming with subtle reflection. 

"At YWIES Tongxiang, teachers often encourage us to 'root in tradition and embrace the world.' I've always cherished traditional culture; the yangqin is like a small link connecting me to my ethnic roots. Every time I sit down to play, I quietly imagine Yao Mountain's starry skies, streams, and bonfires, immersing myself in that scene. It helps me grasp the music's hidden power and truly understand the school's vision of 'blending Chinese and Western wisdom.'"

Brushstrokes of Global Dialogue

From The Game of Go to Louvre's Gold Medal Glory

If the yangqin is Celine’s "Oriental expression," painting is her quiet language of dialogue with the world. Her dual prowess in both instrumental music and painting has fostered a well-rounded artistic temperament — a key highlight that impressed the judges of the 2025-26 Yew Chung Yew Wah Art Scholarship, fully embodying the outstanding trait of holistic development among YWIES Tongxiang students.

Recently, her watercolor The Game of Go was featured in the "Refined Youth" supplement of Tongxiang Today — a work that delicately captures life’s small joys: in an ordinary alley, two friends sit across from each other at a small table with two cups of tea, engrossed in their game as time drifts gently by with each move.

 The Game of Go 

With soft hues, Celine delicately depicts the players' concentration, blurs the subtle intricacies of the game, and quietly diffuses that leisurely atmosphere—weaving her unique understanding of Oriental life aesthetics into the gentle interplay between traditional culture and artistic creation.

On the international stage, her artistic talent continues to shine brightly. With her watercolor Fantasy Eco-Castle, she clinched the Gold Medal at the 2025 Louvre International Art Exhibition's "PRIX TOUR" (awarded to only 5% of top participants) — a work embodying her artistic vision that will be officially exhibited at the Louvre in Paris, France, from January 16 to 17, 2026.

 Fantasy Eco-Castle 

Her aother work Chess Game has also been successfully selected for the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, bringing the beauty of Oriental art to global audiences at this international gala.

 Chess Game 

"It warms my heart to see my watercolor enter world art venues — and it feels like a great encouragement," Celine shared with shy pride. "I'm especially grateful to my school for fostering such a vibrant artistic environment. Both the professional guidance in classes and the recognition through the scholarship have given me greater courage to keep exploring my artistic journey."

Exclusive Interview

Quiet Growth in Diversity, Power Through Art

Q: As a YWIES Tongxiang student and recipient of the 2025-26 Yew Chung Yew Wah Art Scholarship, how do you balance traditional art studies (e.g., yangqin, watercolor) with global development in daily learning?

Celine: I am thrilled to have received the scholarship and grateful to the school for the recognition! It fuels my passion for art. The diverse campus has taught me inclusivity and boosted my confidence: in class, teachers share Western art composition and color to broaden my creativity; after class, I practice the yangqin and paint traditional themes. They're harmonious — the yangqin's rhythm guides my brushstroke flow, while Western art's innovation adds my personal touch to traditional music. This mutual inspiration makes me more meticulous, and I believe that's exactly what the school's vision — "Blend Chinese and Western wisdom, pursue holistic development" — truly means.

Q: To fellow art lovers, do you have any advice to share?

Celine: I think passion and perseverance are key. Art practice can get a bit tedious at times, but if you really focus and settle down, you'll find that every practice session, every brushstroke, is a quiet conversation with yourself. I hope everyone can find their passion in the school's artistic environment and keep pursuing it.

From Tongxiang's "Outstanding Star" to a Louvre Gold Medalist, from the yangqin's melodic beauty to watercolor's brush and ink—Celine's journey proves that traditional culture and global perspective can coexist harmoniously, and a youth's aspirations can transcend borders to shine brightly on the world stage.