Chinese pop star to play Baker Ballroom
Yan tries to make it big in Athens
By Sarah Beth Hensley, Staff Writer
October 22, 2007 | 7:43 p.m.
When thinking about a “pop star,” images are conjured of over–the-top celebrities; however, Yan Mencius is not the typical aspiring singer. This Chinese artist is a multilingual talent with aspirations that can burst the bubble of pop star stereotypes.
Yan, a 20-year-old Chinese native, came to America with hopes of expanding his audience and establishing a market for his own music genre—combining classical music with pop. He is currently in the middle of his sophomore year majoring in music production at Hocking College after transferring from Ohio University.
“I use a lot of my classical music skill to build pop music and make my own style,” Yan said. “I want to do something unique.”
Yan will showcase his “unique style” at his very own concert from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 26 in Baker University Center Ballroom.
Growing up near Beijing, he began learning classical music at a young age, and at 15 years old he moved to Ukraine for four years to further his music studies. In Ukraine he majored in voice, where he was required to study conducting.
“It helps a lot with musical skills,” he said. “Arranging music and composition comes a lot easier.”
His abilities and ambitions have allowed him to become successful in China and Ukraine. He appeared on CCTV, one of the most powerful Chinese television stations, and was invited to sing with Svetlana Loboda, who he described as the “Kelly Clarkson of Europe,” according to his Web site.
Seeking more opportunities, Yan heeded his uncle’s advice to continue his musical pursuits in the United States.
“The classical market is small in China, and you can have more of a market in America,” Yan said. “My uncle lives in Seattle and said that I could have more success in America.”
When choosing a place to settle down, Yan looked at the English stipulations that needed to be met. A fluent speaker, Yan noted that Ohio University is the only university that did not require passing an English test in order to study.
“I came to improve my music skills, not my English skills,” he stated.
Now a Hocking student, Yan still feels confident in his decision to remain in the area.
“Hocking has a powerful music program, a big studio and lots of musicians.”
Feeling well-received in the area and with an expanding fan base, Yan said he is “absolutely confident” about his upcoming show at Baker.
“Here is a place to develop,” he noted. “The audience is so friendly, and I want to show more.”
His performance will blend his Chinese songs with some of his English songs while displaying his unique “C & P World” genre of music. C & P World, meaning classical-pop, is a form of music that combines Yan’s previous classical talents with his passion for pop. However, Yan could not be successful without his “crew” who helps him compose the songs.
This team of four includes Yan, who writes the melody; George Schneider, who writes the lyrics in English; Ricky Ricardo, who raps in Yan’s songs, and Vyacheslav Shevchenko, who makes the beats to accompany Yan.
“It is difficult, but eventually you can find words to fit the mood of notes and an idea to focus a song around,” said Schneider, 22, a senior majoring in political science. “The themes are universal, and you don’t have to be Chinese or American to understand it.”
Schneider, who has been writing music for the last year, wrote the lyrics to one of Yan’s popular songs, “You Are Beautiful.”
“It gives me an opportunity to do something that I love to do,” Schneider said.
Yan, a modest but talented artist and dancer, said he hopes to start in Athens, make more music and develop. He aspires to sign a contract with Universal and to continue to make music with his current crew.
“If you are successful in the United States, you are successful in all of the world,” he said. “I just want to share my music with all people.”