Minutes before Christopher Tin learned of his win at the 53rd Grammy Awards for his classical crossover album, Calling All Dawns, he was at the ice rink lacing up his skates. When the 35-year-old composer saw the first congratulatory e-mail, he was so excited that he went out and scored a hockey goal.

"(It offered) a great deal of relief, but then I immediately had to focus on my acceptance speech," he says.

The two awards, for Best Classical Crossover Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist, have once again put the spotlight on China's musical talents. Chinese soprano Jia Ruhan sings the third track in the album, Dao Zai Fan Ye, or The Path is Returning.