The Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble was founded in July of 1995 by Master Venerable Lien Chan, Chinese Five-Eyes Association very own Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired. With the spirit of Buddha’s mercy and equality as well as a firm belief that all things originate from the same basis, Master Venerable Lien Chan stepped into the field of caring for the visually impaired. It is under her guidance that programs such as schooling and cultivation for the visually impaired but musically talented was established. Popular concerts by such artists were also widely sponsored. Leading with compassionate wisdom, Master Venerable Lien Chan freely offers her time and efforts in hopes that mankind may move towards a freer, more harmonious, and quiescently liberated world.
The name Five-Eyes is taken from Buddhist sutra references of the physical eye, the divine eye, the wisdom eye, the Dharma eye, and the Buddha eye. It infers the need to look beyond physical manifestations and realize the spirit beneath. All members of the Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble are highly talented musicians who are visually impaired. Most members graduated from the Musical Division of The Chinese Cultural University and have had multiple well honored performances at the National Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Center R.O.C. National Theater & National Concert Hall (National Concert Hall). Moreover, the Musical Ensemble is frequently invited to perform at regional cultural centers, education halls, schools, jails, company or family banquets, and so forth. Through music, they have touched the hearts of many whom have crossed their paths both educating them and winning rave reviews along the way.
Do you only see me unable to see?
Message from the Lead ― Dong Yu Huang
All visually impaired friends studying music in Taiwan have undergone the long-term experience of being treated as a "blind person” once appearing on the stage. This occurs even though many in the course of studying music never used the “pretext of blindness;” at times, they have worked even harder and posses even more ability than those who have normal eyesight.
It is a true pity, but for a long time, audiences have always been fed the idea that blind performer equates to charitable causes. This changed in the summer of 1995. Under the direction of Master Venerable Lien Chan, Director of the Chinese Five-Eyes Association, the first ever “Five-Eyes Seeing Blind Concert” was held. Renowned musicians in the general music field as well as visually impaired musicians were invited to perform together on the same stage, and it was insist upon that it be a “no fundraising” concert. This precedence finally, on a gradual level, aroused a sense of the equality for united performances between the seeing and the blind as well as set up the model of no fundraising at such event. From that time forward, the much-esteemed Master Lien Chan, Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired have insisted on holding multiple “seeing blind” concerts every year. She also pushed me to gather other visually impaired musicians and established the "Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble.” Since the founding of this Ensemble, all performances have been held for the enjoyment all music lovers from all walks of life; no once have we held concerts for the benefit of fundraising. This has given me more confidence to face every performance and a real sense respect.
Wholeheartedly I would like to express my deepest gratitude to those who given me guidance in my life.
"I lost brightness, but I have you all”
Lead of Five-Eyes Musical Ensemble
Huang Dong Yu
Host ─ Jhu Wan Hua ( Cih Lin) (The Blind)
Born in a poor farming household in Jhongliao Town, Nantou County, she is blind in both eyes because of congenital cataract. Her vision remains to be less than 0.001 after the operation. She can only vaguely see the light, color and large object. Converted by the Venerable Mentor of the Visually Impaired – Master Lien Chan, she has learned with her mentor intimately for many years. Under her mentor’s guidance, she made great efforts to learn and strive upwards; she became the first art broker of the blind. Moreover, she cares deeply for the future caring and development of the visually impaired community and has labored tirelessly to improve upon it. She has also been engaged in humane care, education, development of artistic creation as well as performances of the visually impaired, etc. She also shares her life through her songs. Her creations include: “Read the world with heart (book),” “The Movement Which Delineates Life - Taiwan Folk Rhyme,” “Singing in the Faint Light - Folk Song of the Campus,” ”The Song of Peace: Female Trio - Our Song of Native Soil,” ”The Song of Peace Female Chorus-Song in the Streets,” etc.
 Host - Jhu Wan Hua |
At present: Member of Executive Committee of Chinese Five-Eyes Associations, General Secretary of Arts Promotion Association of the Republic of China, Director of Han-Ding Cultural Limited Company, Trustee of Legal Person Financial Group for the Musical and Educational Foundation for the Visually Impaired in Taipei, Producer of Taiwan Visually Impaired Art Season, Producer of Legal Educational Broadcast Programs, and Host and producer of “Look at You and Look at Me Diligently “ in Han-Shan Broadcasting Radio.
Host ─ Ms. Zhang Ming Yi
 Host - Zhang Ming Yi |
From 1977 to 1985, she attended the San Francisco State University advanced summer courses in chorus training, conducting, and was further invited to joint performances as well. (1982-1983) Ms. Zhang Ming Yi was recognized as one of Taipei’s top 10 outstanding youths. She also flew to Japan to participate in The World Chorus Alliance Concert that same year. Under her direction, the Shih Chien Elementary and Middle School won first place in the Golden Melody awards in 1987. (1989-1998) The Zhangs Jiao Community Chorus also placed first in the Taipei Chorus Competition under her direction. （1984--2007）She lead the groups Taipei Wenshan, Xin Dian Women’s Association, and Lan Yuan Chorus group through multiple world cultural exchanges. Destinations included: Japan, The Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, Malaysia, France, Vienna, Canada, and China (Beijing, Changchun, Harbin, Shanghai, Guangxi, Shandong, etc).
Amongst other items on her extensive repertoire are: appointed as Taipei’s Young Lions Broadcasting’s host for “Appreciation of Music Program”; the forth and fifth Golden Song Awards panel judge for the popular music category as hosted by the Government Information Office; and professor of Shih Chien Middle School both in music and special education.
Currently, she is a board member of the Chinese Five Eyes Association and the Daily Operations Director for the Chinese Ding Xian Association. In addition, she is also a vocalist professor at the Chinese Culture University’s School of Continuing Education and conductor for various chorus assemblies. These chorus groups consist of the Taipei WenShan Chorus, the Chinese Family Planning Association’s Evergreen Chorus, Master Hung-I’s Chorus, Jung Renfan, XinJuan Visually Impaired Reconstruction Chorus Class, etc. Lastly, she has also completed her training in directing of the visually impaired and has become of an official instructor.
Amy L. Shen – English Translator
 English Translater - Amy L. Shen |
Born in 1978 in Taipei, Taiwan, Amy moved to the United States with her family when she was about nine years old. Due to the nature of her family’s occupation, she had taken up residence in multiple States including New York, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, Florida, California, Washington D.C., etc. She attended a local Florida college before furthering her studies at the University of Houston. From the University of Houston, she graduated with honors receiving a degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing and minoring in Asian Studies. Throughout her college years, she has always received various scholarships and worked part-time.
Since graduation, her resume included companies such as The First American Corporation – Title and Settlement Division, American Title Company, Renaissance Healthcare Systems, and JPMorgan Chase – Worldwide Security Services Division.
In 2007, Amy returned to Taiwan. Because of her continued interest in Asian culture and Buddhism, she began working in related fields. Currently, she is working at Justdothat Production Company engaging in areas of public services, Buddhism, and entertainment production.
Lead ― Dong Yu Huang 黃東裕 (The Blind)
Praised by Master Venerable Lien Chan as “Pianist of the Pyramid Apex,” Mr. Wong is an outstanding classical concert pianist and a miracle of the Taiwan classical music circuit. Famed as the “Beethoven of Taiwan,” one would never have guessed that he was blind from listening to his music. It imparts his unique interpretation of life; it’s essence as seen from the heart. Notable stops on his concert tours included countries such as Holland, Belgium, UK, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Canada. In 1997, he was awarded the Chinese Five-Eyes Association Outstanding Vision Impaired Persons Award. Also within that year, he became the first visually impaired concert pianist to perform solo at the National Concert Hall. He has toured multiple provincial cultural centers around Taiwan as well. In 1999, under the sponsorship of The Chinese Five-Eyes Association, he attended the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts to further his development. By overcoming the dual hardships of language and sight, he made what seemed like an impossibility possible. Christiane Karajeva, a professor at the University, was enchanted by his abilities and expressed that “.Mr. Wong’s piano techniques are mature with a musical depth that does not differentiate between the seeing and the blind, instead is a musical express of the heart.” Through an incredibly difficult collaborative effort with the National Philharmonic Orchestra in the year 2000, a joint concert was given. It won rave reviews and had amazing resonance. It also gained him the impressive Forth Annual Golden Eagle Award given by the Ministry of the Interior. In 2004, he was also a nominee for the Golden Melody Award in the classical music category.
Vice Lead ― Wen Shin Ho (The Blind)
 Vice Lead - Wen Shin Ho |
Graduating top of his class at the Chinese Cultural University Western Music division, Mr. Wen Shin Ho majored in violin. He also studied piano under the German master Thunell and our very own Taiwanese professor Chun Ren Lee. With a musical style of romantic grace, he often toured with Hwa Kang Musical Group in his school years accepting invitations to places like Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Canada, United States, etc. Positive reviews followed in the wake of his performances. In 1995, he successfully held his first ever Chinese Five-Eyes Concert as the featuring performer. Following that achievement, he was awarded the Chinese Five-Eyes Association Outstanding Vision Impaired Persons Award in 1998. What’s more, The Chinese Five-Eyes Association then invited him to tour and performed for children stricken with cancer and senior citizen facilities in Canada. He also received the impressive honor of winning the Sixth Annual Golden Eagle Award given by the Ministry of the Interior in 2002. Currently, he is both performing as a concert violinist and teaching in his spare time.
Member – Yu Shin Liu (The Blind)
 Member - Yu Shin Liu |
Member: Yu Xia Zhang
 Member - Yu Xia Zhang |
Musician: Cao Xia
 Musician - Cao Xia |
Ms. Cao Xia is a member of the Dong Tribe and graduated Guangxi Arts Institute's Music School in July of 1986. Her impressive repertoire includes: senior middle school teacher (associate professor), member of the CIOCM, member of the Chinese Chorus Association, member of the Guangxi Musicians Association, Vice Chairman of the Liuzhou Middle & Elementary School Chorus Society, and Director of the Liuzhou Chorus Association. In addition, she has also been twice recognized by the China Cultural Information Ministry and The State Administration of Radio Film and Television with an "Exemplary Teacher and Instructor Award"; three times awarded the Guangxi Outstanding Musical Cultivator Medal; and placed second in the Guangxi Second Annual Music Teacher Basics Contest. Out of her students, 62 have placed first in local and national music competitions and 21 have been accepted into various Art Institutes. In 2001, she came under the teachings of Master Venerable Lien Chan. She was deeply moved by Master Lien Chan's continuous, compassionate caring of the physically or mentally challenged. It was under her influence that Ms. Cao Xia began investing her time into social services, caring for the physical or mentally challenged, the elderly, and such. The community has given nothing but warm, high praises for her.
Guest Performer Dr. Shiva Prasad
 Dr. Shiva Prasad |
He found a passion for the North Indian Percussion instrument – Tabla and started practicing Tabla from his college days. He also has performed on few other percussion instruments like Ghatam, Naal, Dholak.
Dr. P. Shiva Prasad, a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.) qualified as an Ayurvedic Physician after 6 years of intense study with the Ayurveda College, Coimbatore, under the Medical University, Chennai. He has a strong traditional background in Ayurveda, being the sixth generation in his family to practice Ayurveda.
Presently he is the resident Ayurvedic Physician in Ayur Centre, Ipoh, since Jan 2003.
Guest Performer:Joshua Ng Jin Ho
 Joshua |
Born in Ipoh, Malaysia, 10 year old Joshua Ng Jin Ho received his first piano lesson at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Miss Khen Seow Yoke and it was immediately discovered that he has perfect pitch. Soon after, at the age of 6, he made his debut before an audience of over a million and was captured live on national television performing piano accompanying Miss Francisca Peters who sang at the open air national month celebration concert 2004 in Ipoh. Thence, he continued performing piano in concerts and events.
Last year he completed his piano grade 8 (ABRSM) examinations. In the same year, he took home gold and three silver awards from the Malaysian Youth Music Competition 2007. He received the ‘OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD’ for excellence in piano performance from the Prime Minister Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri DiRaja Abdullah Bin Haji Ahmad Badawi. Recently, he took home another two more gold and a silver award from the Malaysian Youth Music Competition 2008, then and there he was invited to perform at the Patron Awards Performances Concert.
He attended master classes under Mr. Kok Kee Boon (Malaysia) and Miss Angeline Bell (U.K.) and is currently studying diploma in piano under Miss Joyce Ho.
Guest Performer (客串演出者) Dr. C.Radhakrishnan
 Dr. C.Radhakrishnan |
Dr. C.Radhakrishnan was born in a musical family in Kerala, India. He got his training in Carnatik Music, from the age of 13, when he began carnatic vocal training under Professor Omanakuttiyama. He learnt to play the flute under Guru B. Sasikumar. Being a flutist, keyboard Player and Music Composer, he has composed several songs for music albums. As a keyboardist, he has assisted and written scores for music albums and filmy back ground music.
He developed a passion for music as well as science from a young age. He studied Ayurveda and acquired his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine, B A M S degree from Ayurveda college, Trivandram, Kerala.
He had been doing solo carnatic music performances in India. He is doing music therapy with carnatic music in Kuala Lumpur. He has developed a Music CD on relaxation.
Dr. C.Radhakrishnan is practising as an Ayurvedic physician in Kuala Lumpur.
Guest Performer (客串演出者)Miss Joyce Ho Yin Fun
 Joyce Ho |
She has been invited to perform in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Scandinavia, London, Malaysia and Singapore. Her exposure in Germany also included chamber music classes under Prof. Angela Merkel and summer masterclasses in Mozarteum University, Salzburg under Professors Franz Kaemmerling, Peter Feuchtwanger, Paul Badura-Skoda and Andras Hamary. At present, she is lecturing in UCSI (University College Sedaya International), UPM (University Putra Malaysia), and UM (University Malaya) while she also gives private lessons in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
