Biography

Qi Shen is an accomplished Erhu performer whose career spans multiple countries and cultural realms, showcasing the international appeal of this traditional Chinese instrument. Below is an overview of her professional journey:

Early Education and Training

Qi began systematic Erhu training at the age of six, demonstrating exceptional musical talent early on. At 17, she was admitted to a university’s music conservatory and earned her Bachelor of Music degree by the age of 21, establishing a solid professional foundation.

Music Career in Montreal

After moving to Montreal, Qi actively engaged in performances and teaching, participating in major music festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival. From 1998 to 2010, she was invited to perform at the Chinese Garden of the Montreal Botanical Garden, becoming a highlight of local cultural events.

Peak on the International Stage (2010–2022)

Qi joined the world-renowned aquatic show "The House of Dancing Water" as an Erhu soloist. directed by the acclaimed Franco Dragone, in Macau. Qi’s Erhu performances added a distinctive Eastern flair to the show, particularly in the opening overture, where the instrument’s haunting melodies became one of its signature elements.

Returning to Montreal and Continued Artistic Pursuits

In 2022, Qi returned to Montreal, where she continues to perform and teach, preserving and promoting the art of the Erhu. Her career exemplifies the vitality of traditional instruments in a modern, multicultural context, and her contributions have significantly advanced the global recognition of the Erhu.

Movies and Documentaries

2009 La maison de mes ancêtres – Mozus Productions

2008 Wushu Warriors – FM Le Sieur

2007 Dinosaurs Alive – Michel Cusson

2007 The Race to Mars – Michel Cusson

2006 La Coupure – Jean Chateauvert

2005 – 2010 Peu Importe l’Age – CBC

2003 La Face Cachée de la Lune – Robert Lepage

Recordings

2025 The House of Dancing Water (show, new edition) – Evan Jolly

2025 “Musicae” (album) – Bernard Rich

2025 SHANGHAI Paris of the East (musicals) – Guy Trépanier

2022 “Ma Bohème” (album “Daniel Lavoie chante Rimbaud”) – Laurent Guardo

2020 Les nouveaux dinosaures – Jocelyn Menard

2010 The House of Dancing Water (show) – Benoit Jutras

2010 The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army Exhibition commercial – Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

2009 Kaleido Shanghai Production – Michel Cusson

2008 Story of a City – Dave Liang

2008 Kooza – Cirque du Soleil

2007 Du septième ciel (album) – Judi Richards

2007 Mercandede:800 – Mercan Dede