The black teenager from Oakland has captivated audiences in the U.S. and China with his ability to sing pitch-perfect Mandarin and perform the ancient Chinese art form.
"As soon as he opens his mouth and sings in Chinese, the Chinese are very surprised and then feel very proud of him," said his music teacher Sherlyn Chew. "When he puts on the costume, and all the acting, you can see that he's pretty good."
Tyler, 15, is a standout student in Chew's Oakland-based Purple Silk Music Education program, which teaches children and youth – mostly from low-income immigrant families – how to sing and play traditional Chinese music. The program's Great Wall Youth Orchestra & Chorus has performed around the country.
