ZNS (performer)
Encyclopedia
Michael William Ryan commonly known by his stage name ZNS, which is abbreviation of his Chinese name, is a popular American performer, TV presenter, and recording artist active in China
and well known in overseas Chinese communities. ZNS' multilingual skills (speaking nearly perfect Mandarin Chinese
and conversational Japanese and German along with his native English and Spanish) have contributed to his popularity in Mainland China. He is the first non-Asian westerner to have been accepted to the prestigious Broadcasting Academy of the Communication University of China
in Beijing, where he is currently enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, ZNS left for China at the age of 18, first studying at Shijiazhuang
, Hebei Province. After being casted for a city television advertisement, ZNS was discovered by Hebei TV for his singing and participated in Jiqing Jiu Jiu, Hebei TV's top-rating singing contest. After having Television appearances on Hebei TV for more than a year, ZNS was invited to participate in Chinese Central Television's smash-hit singing contest Starlight Avenue, a program broadcast to an estimated audience of 60 million people. Although ZNS only made it to the 5th round of the competition, he was discovered by famous Chinese crosstalk
comedian Ding Guang Quan and began his formal study of the art. Since then, ZNS a regular personality on major Chinese TV stations, including CCTV and Hunan TV.
In March 2010, ZNS was invited to speak at Toronto University's annual China Conference, speaking on the Culture panel as an expert on the Chinese Television industry and giving insights to the work of a Broadcaster in China.
In May 2010, ZNS took part in Hunan TV's popular Male Idol singing competition Super Boy. Taking part in the North American auditions, ZNS made it into the top 10 for Los Angeles, top 5 for North America, and top 30 for the World before retiring from the show. ZNS cites focusing on school as the main reason for quitting, but although quitting before the top 12 finals, he was still one of the most popular contestant in 2010. ZNS continued on to work as a TV reporter for Hunan TV World Channel for the remainder of the 2010 Superboy competition, daily appearing on Hunan TV and interviewing the final contests of Superboy.
In July 2010 ZNS held a mini-concert at Tianjin TV, in Tianjin
. Fans and supporters flew in from all over China and even from nearby countries to see the performance. The mini-concert special aired on Tianjin TV in late summer 2010.
During Christmas 2010, ZNS was invited back to Tianjin TV to perform on Tianjin TV's Christmas Special.
Continuing his studies at Beijing Broadcasting Academy, ZNS has emceed and hosted several large-scale events over the last half year
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and well known in overseas Chinese communities. ZNS' multilingual skills (speaking nearly perfect Mandarin Chinese
Standard Chinese
Standard Chinese, or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
and conversational Japanese and German along with his native English and Spanish) have contributed to his popularity in Mainland China. He is the first non-Asian westerner to have been accepted to the prestigious Broadcasting Academy of the Communication University of China
Communication University of China
The Communication University of China is a public university in Beijing, China...
in Beijing, where he is currently enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, ZNS left for China at the age of 18, first studying at Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
, Hebei Province. After being casted for a city television advertisement, ZNS was discovered by Hebei TV for his singing and participated in Jiqing Jiu Jiu, Hebei TV's top-rating singing contest. After having Television appearances on Hebei TV for more than a year, ZNS was invited to participate in Chinese Central Television's smash-hit singing contest Starlight Avenue, a program broadcast to an estimated audience of 60 million people. Although ZNS only made it to the 5th round of the competition, he was discovered by famous Chinese crosstalk
Xiangsheng
Xiangsheng , sometimes translated as crosstalk, is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in the form of a dialogue between two performers, or, much less often, a solo monologue or, even less frequently, a multi-player talk show. The language, rich in puns and allusions, is delivered in a rapid,...
comedian Ding Guang Quan and began his formal study of the art. Since then, ZNS a regular personality on major Chinese TV stations, including CCTV and Hunan TV.
In March 2010, ZNS was invited to speak at Toronto University's annual China Conference, speaking on the Culture panel as an expert on the Chinese Television industry and giving insights to the work of a Broadcaster in China.
In May 2010, ZNS took part in Hunan TV's popular Male Idol singing competition Super Boy. Taking part in the North American auditions, ZNS made it into the top 10 for Los Angeles, top 5 for North America, and top 30 for the World before retiring from the show. ZNS cites focusing on school as the main reason for quitting, but although quitting before the top 12 finals, he was still one of the most popular contestant in 2010. ZNS continued on to work as a TV reporter for Hunan TV World Channel for the remainder of the 2010 Superboy competition, daily appearing on Hunan TV and interviewing the final contests of Superboy.
In July 2010 ZNS held a mini-concert at Tianjin TV, in Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
. Fans and supporters flew in from all over China and even from nearby countries to see the performance. The mini-concert special aired on Tianjin TV in late summer 2010.
During Christmas 2010, ZNS was invited back to Tianjin TV to perform on Tianjin TV's Christmas Special.
Continuing his studies at Beijing Broadcasting Academy, ZNS has emceed and hosted several large-scale events over the last half year