Meet the 12-year-old girl in love with Chinese culture
By CNA/Wallace Woon
Clarissa See fell in love with the erhu after hearing it at a Singapore Chinese Orchestra concert when she was six.
'When I (started learning the) erhu, I thought it's something fun,' she shared. 'But when I got older, I (realised) that the erhu tells people stories from the sound and lets them know what is happening in the song, like if it's sadness or joy.'
Her interests also extend to the gaohu, Chinese dance, martial arts and Teochew opera.
'When I (went) to Teochew opera for the first time, the costumes (were) very beautiful and I liked the makeup. When I wear the make-up and the costume, I think that I'm stepping back in time,' she said.
Her mother, Deng Xiu Wei, is cautious not to push her daughter too hard. If Clarissa eventually decides Chinese music isn't for her, she would have her mum's full support.
'Children are unique. As a parent, I will use the torchlight to find a way for them and let them find a way by themselves. They have their own pace and their own terms as well,' said Deng.
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