Banded Story:

When I was a kid, I was attracted by the sound of piano and started taking piano lessons. Soon after, I also started drumming and joined percussion ensemble when I was in elementary school. I realized that my path was artistic early on and decided to continue with music. After two years of study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, I auditioned for music schools in the United States. Studying at Manhattan School of Music and Northwestern University deeply influenced how I perform and teach now. I have lived in two countries and four different states so far. Seeing different musical cultures and life experiences also nourishes my relationship with music.

Artist Bio:

Waichi Champion is a freelance percussion performer and educator based in Dallas, Texas. She has performed with professional ensembles across the world including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Spectrum Ensemble and International Chamber Artists. In 2020 and 2022 respectively, Waichi video-premiered Vim for percussion duo and Nothing Follows for marimba solo composed by Duncan Patton. She has also performed as a guest artist at the Manhattan School of Music Virtual Percussion Summit I and II, and a duo recital at Southern Methodist University. Specializing in solo percussion, Waichi has placed at multiple solo marimba competitions including the Southern California Marimba Competition, the PASIC International Solo Competition and the Great Plains Marimba Competition.

Waichi holds a BM from the Manhattan School of Music and an MM from Northwestern University, both in Percussion Performance. She studied with She-e Wu, Duncan Patton, Christopher Lamb, Erik Charlston, Vadim Karpinos, Shaun Tilburg and Chin-Tung Chau. She is also an alumnus of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Music Academy of the West.