Liu Huan - Biography

Biography

Liu graduated from Yaohua High School in Tianjin in 1981. Four years later, he graduated from the University of International Relations in Beijing, majoring in French. During his university days, he participated in a French songwriting competition and won first prize, as well as sponsorship from the French government to go on a tour to Paris. Following that, Liu was sent to the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China, and the time he spent there had a definite influence on his music.

Liu has performed the theme songs for a number of television series. In 1987, he performed his first song, Sun in Heart (心中的太阳), for Snowing City (雪城). He is also well known for performing the iconic theme song, Heroes' Song (好汉歌), for the 1998 television series The Water Margin. His song, Asking Myself a Thousand Times (千萬次的問) remained in the top position for ten weeks on Chinese radio stations. In 1990, Liu performed the official theme song, Asian Mighty Winds (亚洲雄风), with Wei Wei at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.

On 19 March 2004, Liu held his first concert ever in his 19 year long career at the Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, called "Huange 2004" (欢歌2004). Other singers present at his concert included Na Ying, Sun Nan, Sha Baoliang and Warren Mok. In 2006, Liu held his second concert in the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, with fellow singers Na Ying, Sun Nan, Warren Mok and Song Zuying present as guests. On 3 July 2007, Liu, Liao Changyong and Warren Mok held a "Zhenhan" music concert in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. The singers introduced a blend of popular and classical music in their performance. On 8 August 2008, Liu performed the official theme song You and Me with British singer Sarah Brightman at 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

Apart from being a singer-songwriter, Liu is also a teacher. He taught at the University of International Relations and is currently teaching history of Western music at the University of International Business and Economics.