Lifen Anthony, Cello

Bringing together classical musical cultures from both shores of the Pacific Ocean and imparting musical disciplines to the young and old, Lifen’s interesting life in music is described in Musicians from a Different Shore, by Mari Yoshihara, Temple University Press, and has been featured numerous times in Japanese television and newspapers.

Her story starts as a young girl with a home-made cello during China’s Cultural Revolution followed by eleven years living and studying in Shenyang Music Conservatory. It was in China that Lifen began to study under world-renowned cellist and teacher Sumiko Kurata of Japan, a relationship that continues even today. After several years in the Middle East, teaching at national conservatories, Lifen joined the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra in Japan, rising to Principal Cellist.

In Japan, she became interested in music education in schools, universities, and her private studio. She was also the founder of several ensembles and played throughout Japan. Lifen’s innovative and active teaching style has brought her acclaim in Honolulu, where in addition to playing with the Honolulu Symphony, she coaches at Iolani and Punahou Schools and teaches at her studio. Her string trio, string quartet groups, and cello ensembles have been the subject of particular praise. She has offered numerous youth string workshops and orchestras in Honolulu and Maui, and sponsors the Kyoto Summer String workshop in Japan in connection with noted cellist Min Tsui.

The Lifen Anthony Quartet brings together four of Lifen’s students, with one guest. The quartet, performing on GMS cellos, took part in the Kyoto Summer String Workshop the past two years. Their exciting performances demonstrated the coalescence of cultures in music: Exuberance from China, Precision from Japan, and Understanding from America.