CMP’s first ever virtual gala “Rise Above the Storm” is coming on Thursday, October 15th at 6pm EST.
Watch special guests and CMP Ambassadors of Hope Celia Au from Netflix’ Wu Assassins, Chen Tang from Disney’s Mulan, and award-winning musical guest Feifei Yang join forces to support CMP. Hear how our program participants went from recipients of help to become providers of services.
Preview our virtual gala preview here: Rise Above the Storm - Preview.
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Celia Au
Ambassador of Hope
Born in Hong Kong and raised in New York City, Celia Au spent her childhood in her parents’ video rental store where the stories and visions of international filmmakers sparked her passion for cinema. Film and television consistently inspired her childhood career aspirations – first, she wanted to become a lawyer, then a police officer, then a marine, then a Kung Fu master…and then even a Power Ranger! It wasn’t long before Au realized that it would be impossible for her to have all these professions. The only way to bring these professions to life was to go onscreen and become the best actor she could be.
Au went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Baruch College (CUNY) in Manhattan, where she created her own major: Graphics, Marketing, and Communications and minored in Theatre Arts. Au has made a splash in the entertainment scene and has become well-known for playing a variety of characters, from an assassin to a surfer, from an escort to a slew of cold-blooded villains.
Au can be seen in Netflix’s “Wu Assassins” (2019), Comedy Central’s “Awkwafina is Nora From Queens” (2020), AMC’s and Paul Giamatti’s dramedy series, “Lodge 49” (2018 - 2019). Additional television and film credits for Au includes, CBS’s “Madam Secretary” (2017), Marvel’s and ABC’s “Iron Fist” (2017), “In A New York Minute” (2019), Martin Scorsese’s and A24’s action drama, “Revenge of the Green Dragons” (2014), “People, Places, Things” (2015), and an upcoming film “Shoplifters of the World,” opposite Joe Manganiello.
Chen Tang
Ambassador of Hope
Chen Ying Tang has an international background that instilled in him early a lifelong love and curiosity for different cultures, peoples, and experiences. Fluent in both Mandarin and English, he has been able to bridge a gap between both Hollywood and China during his career.
He has acted in numerous films and television series, most recently as "Yao" in the Disney live-action remake of “Mulan” (2020) directed by Niki Caro, and as the main cast member "Hong" of the Bruce Lee inspired Cinemax show “Warrior” (2019) from Jonathan Tropper and Justin Lin. Other recurring credits include “Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (2013), “Bosch” (2014), “Grey's Anatomy” (2005), and “Being Mary Jane” (2013), among others.
Born in Kobe, Japan, and spending his childhood in Guangxi, China, Chen Tang belongs to the ethnic minority Zhuang group from Southern China. After immigrating to the United States, Chen's family settled in the Deep South in Memphis, Tennessee. Not knowing anything different, his first accent in English was a natural Southern accent. Though he always stayed connected to his Chinese roots, he still feels very much rooted to the Southern culture he grew up in.
Chen once had aspirations of being a soldier, but soon fell in love with acting instead. He went off to Boston, and then later New York City to pursue his craft. Sporadic work began to come his way on the New York stage, in television, and independent films, and he eventually made the move to Los Angeles to pursue his passion in front of the camera. Chen has consistently been noted for a "rare, chameleon-like ability to transform" in his work, resulting in many roles that appear, sound, and feel very distinct from each other.
Feifei Yang
Musical Guest
Feifei Yang is an award-winning musician, singer, instructor, and an arts entrepreneur. Hailed as "The Chinese Huqin Girl Stepping into Hollywood" by SinoVision, she is an Erhu and Banhu performance expert and vocalist whose talents are revolutionizing the global music and entertainment scenes. Indie Nation noted she is "an extremely talented pop star in the making. Her potential is truly endless." Skope Magazine highly recognized Feifei as an extraordinary artist who has "endless musical talents. Feifei is one who you will never know what to expect next." Feifei's contribution to Chinese music was commended by Agence France-Presse as "testing the possibilities of fusion by bringing jazz and other Western forms to performances on traditional instruments.”
Feifei Yang has contributed her talents to notable venues and institutions including the United Nations, Time Square Countdown Stage, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, the NBA's Barclays Center, CBS, WNBC, Summer Stage and New York Fashion Week, among several others. She is a dual 2017 Global Music Award Winner – Female Vocalist & Popular music. Feifei has been a judge for the China Central Television (CCTV) network's China Youth Talent Show Contest and Super Baby Talent Show Contest in North America, the SinoVision network's Annual American Youth Talent and Art Contest and the National Youth Music Competition in Liaoning, China.