Join Pao Arts Center for an evening of music and poetry. When Poetry Sings seeks to illuminate the intersection of traditions through art songs. Curated by collaborative pianist Leona Cheung, this program presents settings of Chinese poetry from composers around the world.
For inquiries, please contact Ashley Yung.
About the Artists
Photo credit: HOLO+FACE
Leona Cheung 張力安 (Music Director/Pianist) a Hong Kong–born collaborative pianist based in Boston, is recognized for her expressive artistry and musical leadership. She has performed internationally across the United States, Canada, Europe, and China. A specialist in vocal repertoire, she collaborates with leading choral ensembles and serves as a staff pianist at major Boston institutions. An advocate for art song, she presents thoughtfully curated recitals and champions new works. Her honors include the Graham Johnson Art Song XXI Prize and an American Prize in Chamber Music Performance. Her playing has been praised as “artistically mature, well thought-out presentations” (Definitely the Opera).
Photo credit: Olivia Moon Photography
Angela Yam 任慧晶 (Soprano) Is known for her impeccable musicianship and fierce stage presence. This summer, she is a Wolf Trap Opera Filene Artist, playing Clorinda in La Cenerentola. Her 2025–26 season featured returns to Boston Lyric Opera (The Daughter of the Regiment), Asia Society Texas (The Big Swim), and Heartbeat Opera (Orgy & Bess). Awards include the Boston Globe’s Best Breakout Performance in a Supporting Role, Gerda Lissner Foundation Art Song Grant Award Winner, Laffont Competition New York City District Winner, and the cover of Opera Magazine.
Photo credit: Kendra Berentsen
Hana Yiu 姚曉嵐 (Contralto) is a contralto from Hong Kong, currently based in New York. In 2024, she partnered with pianist Leona Cheung to premiere the Cantonese art song “Soaring into the Light” at NYC SongSLAM, which celebrates AAPI voices and her cultural heritage. Mrs. Yiu is also an active choral artist with The Riverside Church, and had appeared with The Unsung Collective in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic, in an oratorio about the American singer and activist Paul Robeson. Mrs. Yiu received her Masters Degree in Vocal Performance from The Hartt School, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.
Photo credit: Lin Photography
Zizhao Wang 王子釗 (Baritone) is a Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist at Boston Lyric Opera. In the 2025–26 season he appears in Macbeth, La Bohème, and for their gala in Ride of the Valkyries. Later he returns to Asia Society Texas for the revival of The Big Swim co-producing with Houston Grand Opera. He recently performed in the world premiere of The House on Mango Street at the Glimmerglass Festival. Previous engagements include Knoxville Opera, Opera Southwest, Guest Artist with New England Conservatory, Virginia Opera, Chinese National Opera Festival, and the Glimmerglass Festival. He was a New England Region second-place winner and Boston District Winner in the 2019 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.
Support
This program is supported by a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the City of Boston.