larger version of Gao in office Image of Gao at his piano, caption says Gao doesn’t consider himself a pianist, although he uses the instrument to accompany student violinists and to compose music. Image of artwork by Gao's daughter, caption says Gao’s daughter started playing at age 6. She’s 12 now and a phenomenal young violinist, says her father. Much better than I was at her age, though I don’t usually tell her that during lessons. Image of a Chinese Blue Hen, caption says Part of what initially attracted Gao to UD were the school colors and football helmet design, which mirrored his alma mater, the University of Michigan. It’s also what he liked about this bird sculpture, created in the Tang Dynasty style. I saw it and thought, ‘Yeah, that’s blue enough for my office.’ Image of a centuries old Ceruti violin, caption says If you had a bottle of wine from the 1940s, it would cost thousands of dollars, because you’re experiencing history. The same is true for art, and especially so for music,” says Gao of his Ceruti violin, made between 1787 and 1810. “With this, you’re hearing the same sound people heard 200 years ago. You’re experiencing history.” The University purchased the Ceruti in 2004 as a $280,000 investment in “the success of faculty in all fields.” Image of miniature replicas of traditional Chinese instruments, caption says “I play with virtuoso performers who can play these instruments in world music concerts,” says Gao. “But I can’t.” Image of Gao with Yo-yo Ma, caption says Gao was a member of the China Magpie ensemble, established by Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. He calls the famed cellist “a human force—a classical musician who’s collaborated with rappers, break-dancers. He has no fear—of learning the other, of being the other.” Image of Business card holder, caption says “This was a gift from a colleague in New Orleans, but the bow is not straight. I tell my students, ‘Don’t play like this guy!’” Image of caligraphy artwork, caption says Gao received the calligraphy artwork after one of his performances and translates the poem as such: High mountain, Water running, Refined music, Is created by the heavens In other words, says Gao, “music doesn’t just happen to be there. It comes from a special place, and that’s our job as musicians—to translate culture, without accent, without mistake.” Image of Delaware Governor's award in the arts', caption says Gao calls America his father country. “It gave me the opportunity and education I needed to soar in the world of music.” China, his mother country, gave him birth. But having lived longer in Delaware than in any other location, he calls this award especially meaningful, as “contributing to Delaware, my hometown, has been a pleasure.” Image of alumni on a trip to China, caption says Through a “Friends and Alumni of UD” travel program, Gao and his wife, Chinese language and linguistics Prof. Zhiyin Renee Dong, have led more than 350 alumni and friends to China, providing a VIP trip to show them their version of the Middle Kingdom—rich in local food, culture and traditional music. For more information on the next trip, visit www.masterplayers.udel.edu/trips/about.
Click on the inset photos for more information about each object. Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson