REVVING UP CAREER IN YUEJU OPERA

Motorcycling star on the road to success as she sets the pace with her performances

Onstage, 21-year-old Jiang Zhounan brings stories to life, while offstage, she revels in her own passionate story with speeding motorcycle. Born in 2003, Jiang embodies the elegance of the stage and the freedom of the open road. Her life blends the grace of traditional Yueju Opera with the thrill of biking.

Her journey into the world of art began with a serendipitous moment in her second year of junior middle school. During a singing rehearsal, Jiang's clear voice and heartfelt emotion captured the attention of her teacher. Recognizing her talent, the teacher handed her an enrollment brochure for the Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art, setting her on the path to becoming a Yueju Opera performer.

At the academy, Jiang was fortunate to find a mentor who provided academic guidance and personal support, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the study of the art form. Upon graduating in 2022, she joined the Yueju Opera troupe at the Nantong Art Theater, where she specializes in laodan (senior female roles) while also performing zhengdan (young female roles). Her solid vocal skills and nuanced performances quickly made her a standout member of the troupe. Yueju Opera is a traditional style of opera popular in the Yangtze River Delta region. Its male roles are typically played by women.