Hui Xu Cheng: "Bridge builder" to Chinese culture
by Heidi M. Pascual
by Heidi M. Pascual
you and all you’ve done. Thank you for helping a girl learn to fly.” – Dale
Wilson”
Indeed, Hui has built a strong foundation for Chinese children in America
— helping them understand their identity, embrace it, hone their potentials,
and soar.
The frame now decorates her office at Keller Williams Realty, a new job
that helps support Hui’s “baby,” the MHCS. A top sales executive who grossed
more than $6 million for the company last year, Hui says she has to support
her only vice, her school, and the growing number of Chinese children who
seek to be part of the cultural bridge that Hui has started.
In addition to leading MHCS and being a full-time real estate agent, Hui
is Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO) Program
Coordinator; Madison Chinese Waist Drum Team Leader; and Tai Chi
Instructor.
More about MHCS:
The two branches now have a total of 60 students. The two classes at
Eagle Heights are conducted Mondays and Wednesdays; and Tuesdays and
Thursdays; while the class at Old Sauk Road is held every Saturday morning.
There are now adult language classes offered on Saturdays as well.
Mandarin Chinese is taught in the language classes - with much emphasis
on tones and pronunciation. Songs are sung, stories are read, and characters
are written in a fun and relaxed learning environment – at an age when
language acquisition is natural and enjoyable.
Dance classes are active and fun and organized by age. Both traditional
and contemporary Chinese dances are practiced and performed. MHCS
dancers have performed at many civic and cultural events in the area. Art
classes are engaging, creative and instructional - and taught by talented
and accomplished Chinese artists. Students improve their artistic skills and
create artwork suitable for framing.
MHCS attempts to keep school costs as low as possible. It is an informal,
not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteers. All classes at this time
cost $55 per student, per session. Books and costume fees may also be
added during some sessions. Tuition assistance may be available for
children’s classes.
For more information about MHCS, contact Ruth Mueller at 608-832-
1520, or email madisonhopechineseschool@gmail.com
Wilson”
Indeed, Hui has built a strong foundation for Chinese children in America
— helping them understand their identity, embrace it, hone their potentials,
and soar.
The frame now decorates her office at Keller Williams Realty, a new job
that helps support Hui’s “baby,” the MHCS. A top sales executive who grossed
more than $6 million for the company last year, Hui says she has to support
her only vice, her school, and the growing number of Chinese children who
seek to be part of the cultural bridge that Hui has started.
In addition to leading MHCS and being a full-time real estate agent, Hui
is Madison Area Chinese Community Organization (MACCO) Program
Coordinator; Madison Chinese Waist Drum Team Leader; and Tai Chi
Instructor.
More about MHCS:
The two branches now have a total of 60 students. The two classes at
Eagle Heights are conducted Mondays and Wednesdays; and Tuesdays and
Thursdays; while the class at Old Sauk Road is held every Saturday morning.
There are now adult language classes offered on Saturdays as well.
Mandarin Chinese is taught in the language classes - with much emphasis
on tones and pronunciation. Songs are sung, stories are read, and characters
are written in a fun and relaxed learning environment – at an age when
language acquisition is natural and enjoyable.
Dance classes are active and fun and organized by age. Both traditional
and contemporary Chinese dances are practiced and performed. MHCS
dancers have performed at many civic and cultural events in the area. Art
classes are engaging, creative and instructional - and taught by talented
and accomplished Chinese artists. Students improve their artistic skills and
create artwork suitable for framing.
MHCS attempts to keep school costs as low as possible. It is an informal,
not-for-profit organization that relies on volunteers. All classes at this time
cost $55 per student, per session. Books and costume fees may also be
added during some sessions. Tuition assistance may be available for
children’s classes.
For more information about MHCS, contact Ruth Mueller at 608-832-
1520, or email madisonhopechineseschool@gmail.com
| Hui Xu Cheng |
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.”— Chinese Proverb
Hui Xu Cheng applies this proverb regularly as she teaches adopted Chinese children who attend the not-for-profit
Madison Hope Chinese School (MHCS), a school that she founded when she settled in Madison in 1998. For almost
a decade now, Hui has been working with them and their American parents to get involved in educational activities
that provide a deep understanding and love of Chinese culture.
“We teach children Chinese language and arts,” Hui said in a recent interview with Asian Wisconzine. “We want
them to grow up understanding their original culture.” “We” refers to Hui and other instructors who joined her when
the school, which originally held classes in Eagle Heights Community Center, expanded to Old Sauk Road. “We’re
all Chinese teachers, so the children will learn firsthand about our rich cultural heritage and see positive Chinese
role models through them. I select the best teachers around!”
When Hui started MHCS, she was the only teacher and had only a handful of students, but it didn’t deter her from
pursuing her goal: teaching Chinese children their culture so they won’t lose their Chinese identity, even if they
grew up in the U.S.
Hui graduated from a teaching university in SuZhou, China in the early ‘80s, taught in China for 10 years, and
then taught Chinese language in England for several years. So it wasn’t surprising that she became a teacher when
she moved to Madison, Wis. with her husband in the latter part of the ‘90s. “Teaching is natural for me,” Hui said,
confident that this would always be the case, regardless of place and time. “And I’m a good teacher.” This fact, plus
the minimal fee that she charges enrollees, spread quickly among American parents with adopted
Hui Xu Cheng applies this proverb regularly as she teaches adopted Chinese children who attend the not-for-profit
Madison Hope Chinese School (MHCS), a school that she founded when she settled in Madison in 1998. For almost
a decade now, Hui has been working with them and their American parents to get involved in educational activities
that provide a deep understanding and love of Chinese culture.
“We teach children Chinese language and arts,” Hui said in a recent interview with Asian Wisconzine. “We want
them to grow up understanding their original culture.” “We” refers to Hui and other instructors who joined her when
the school, which originally held classes in Eagle Heights Community Center, expanded to Old Sauk Road. “We’re
all Chinese teachers, so the children will learn firsthand about our rich cultural heritage and see positive Chinese
role models through them. I select the best teachers around!”
When Hui started MHCS, she was the only teacher and had only a handful of students, but it didn’t deter her from
pursuing her goal: teaching Chinese children their culture so they won’t lose their Chinese identity, even if they
grew up in the U.S.
Hui graduated from a teaching university in SuZhou, China in the early ‘80s, taught in China for 10 years, and
then taught Chinese language in England for several years. So it wasn’t surprising that she became a teacher when
she moved to Madison, Wis. with her husband in the latter part of the ‘90s. “Teaching is natural for me,” Hui said,
confident that this would always be the case, regardless of place and time. “And I’m a good teacher.” This fact, plus
the minimal fee that she charges enrollees, spread quickly among American parents with adopted
| Hui performing at Overture Center; at the background is her husband doing the drums |
Chinese children. In no time, Hui’s school enrollment grew bigger than she alone could handle.
Much to Hui’s surprise, volunteer parents have come forward to help organize and coordinate school activities, as well as
give feedback on improving programs. Many of them, whose children “grew up” in MHCS, have found a “sister” and a “best
friend” in Hui, who has developed curriculum that blends Chinese tradition with the best of American culture.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of MHCS students is their public dance performances. They are frequently invited to
perform at various community events every year, including Celebrating Youth at Monona Terrace Community and
Convention Center; International Adoption Citizenship Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol and at the Henry Vilas Zoo; UW-
Madison Chinese New Year at the Memorial Union Theater; Call for Peace Drum and Dance Company performances for
Kids for Peace at the Capitol; and the Children’s Art Festival at the Overture Center for the Arts. Hui provides all the colorful
costumes for the dance numbers, directly from the mainland. She doesn’t take credit for the dance classes though. “I don’t
teach dancing, I have a teacher who teaches dance to the children because I don’t dance,” Hui laughs, brushing aside her
achievement as the choreographer of the local adult Waist Drum Dance and Ribbon Dance performers (under the Madison
Area Chinese Cultural Organization umbrella) during community celebrations at the Overture Center and elsewhere.
Hui credits the students, parents and teachers for the success the MHCS dance classes are reaping today. “They are so
interested and enjoying what they learn,” Hui said, pointing to several photos of her students performing at various Madison
events all memorialized in two big photo albums in her office. “And I’m so proud of them.”
Because of her work at MHCS and her efforts to connect Chinese children to their heritage, parents honored Hui and
thanked her profusely during the MFCC Chinese New Year celebration last February. In tears, Hui was speechless, unaware
of the special recognition the parents had prepared for her. In addition to a bouquet of flowers, Hui received a framed piece
of art showing a girl on the Great Wall with arms stretched toward the sky. The message on the art work, written by a parent
who has two children at MHCS, reads: “Dear Hui, This little girl looks like she could do anything, even fly. She reminds me of
Much to Hui’s surprise, volunteer parents have come forward to help organize and coordinate school activities, as well as
give feedback on improving programs. Many of them, whose children “grew up” in MHCS, have found a “sister” and a “best
friend” in Hui, who has developed curriculum that blends Chinese tradition with the best of American culture.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of MHCS students is their public dance performances. They are frequently invited to
perform at various community events every year, including Celebrating Youth at Monona Terrace Community and
Convention Center; International Adoption Citizenship Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol and at the Henry Vilas Zoo; UW-
Madison Chinese New Year at the Memorial Union Theater; Call for Peace Drum and Dance Company performances for
Kids for Peace at the Capitol; and the Children’s Art Festival at the Overture Center for the Arts. Hui provides all the colorful
costumes for the dance numbers, directly from the mainland. She doesn’t take credit for the dance classes though. “I don’t
teach dancing, I have a teacher who teaches dance to the children because I don’t dance,” Hui laughs, brushing aside her
achievement as the choreographer of the local adult Waist Drum Dance and Ribbon Dance performers (under the Madison
Area Chinese Cultural Organization umbrella) during community celebrations at the Overture Center and elsewhere.
Hui credits the students, parents and teachers for the success the MHCS dance classes are reaping today. “They are so
interested and enjoying what they learn,” Hui said, pointing to several photos of her students performing at various Madison
events all memorialized in two big photo albums in her office. “And I’m so proud of them.”
Because of her work at MHCS and her efforts to connect Chinese children to their heritage, parents honored Hui and
thanked her profusely during the MFCC Chinese New Year celebration last February. In tears, Hui was speechless, unaware
of the special recognition the parents had prepared for her. In addition to a bouquet of flowers, Hui received a framed piece
of art showing a girl on the Great Wall with arms stretched toward the sky. The message on the art work, written by a parent
who has two children at MHCS, reads: “Dear Hui, This little girl looks like she could do anything, even fly. She reminds me of
Hui with her first class, Summer 1999
Hui with a group of Chinese children at the
International Citizenship Adoption Day, 2001,
at the Wis. State Capitol
International Citizenship Adoption Day, 2001,
at the Wis. State Capitol
| Hui Cheng is also a top-grossing realtor. Above are some of her recognitions |