Production Details

Mystic Harmonies
Melody of China performs in collaboration with Indian tabla virtuoso Swapan Chaudhuri and his Ali Akbar College of Music Ensemble. The concert program will include repertoire from minority ethnic groups in China as well as the world premiere of a new work for mixed ensemble featuring Chinese and Indian instruments.

漢聲樂團與印度塔布拉鼓演奏家斯瓦潘·喬杜里及其阿里·阿克巴音樂學院樂團合作演出。音樂家包括：漢聲樂團揚琴演奏家趙揚琴（兼藝術總監）、古箏演奏家趙鋼琴，二胡演奏家张晓凤，琵琶演奏家張申申，笙演奏家郭萬鹏，笛子演奏家卢憲。  客座藝術家包括 斯瓦潘·喬杜里 和他的阿里阿克巴音樂學院6位音樂家。該學院包括印度塔布拉鼓、西塔琴和其他傳統樂器。音樂會節目單包括中國少數民族曲目以及中國和印度樂器混合演奏新作品的全球首演。

Melody of China
Since 1993, Melody of China (MOC) has performed new and traditional music on traditional Chinese instruments including yangqin (hammered dulcimer), guzheng (table harp), erhu (2-string bowed fiddle), pipa (lute), sheng (mouth organ) and dizi (bamboo flutes). In addition to traditional Chinese repertoire, MOC performs newly commissioned works by contemporary composers. MOC commissioned composers include: Gene Coleman, Kui Dong, Gang Situ, Francis Wong, Yuanlin Chen, Carl Stone and many others. MOC frequently collaborates with other artists and organizations; collaborative partners have included SF Symphony, Del Sol String Quartet, Earplay, Lines Ballet, Zeak Nealy, Swapan Chaudhuri, and many others.

Artist Biographies

Melody of China

Yangqin Zhao
Yangqin Zhao is the Executive/Artistic Director of Melody of China. She is a member of the Chinese Musicians Association and the Chinese National Orchestra Society. Ms.Zhao has been invited to perform internationally in Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore, HongKong, Mexico and Germany and performed with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Women's Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony, among many others. Ms. Zhao co-founded Melody of China in 1993 and took over as Artist Director beginning in 2008.

Gangqin Zhao
Gangqin Zhao has been a touring member of Melody of China since 1993 and master of the guzheng or "table harp" as well as paigu, Chinese percussion; Ms. Zhao has performed nationally and internationally. In addition to performing, Ms. Zhao teaches classes and workshops in San Francisco.

Zhongxiao Tan
A Singaporean Chinese Ruan (Chinese moon guitar) virtuoso and educator, is renowned for his dedication to promoting traditional Chinese music. As President of the Singapore Ruanxian Chamber Ensemble and Music Director of Swan, he shares his expertise through performances, talks, and teaching engagements. Trained under esteemed mentors such as Mdm. Zhang Rong Hui, Jim earned his Diploma in Ruan performance from the Central Conservatory of Music.

Shenshen Zhang
Shenshen Zhang has been touring member of Melody of China for over 15 years, Ms. Zhang is a pipa. (Chinese lute) virtuoso and has performed all over the U.S. and abroad. She specializes in newly commissioned works as well as traditional repertoire.

Xiaofeng Zhang
Xiaofeng Zhang has performed with renowned orchestras, ensembles, and as a soloist all over the world. In 1997, Zhang Xiaofeng immigrated to the United States and was one of the founders of the Jumping Buddha Ensemble. Xiaofeng Zhang has been an active member participated almost all of the San Francisco World Music Festival. Xiaofeng Zhang currently is a board member of Door Dog Music productions, director of The Jumping Buddha Ensemble and The Jumping Buddha Youth Ensemble.

Xian Lu
Xian Lu has been a touring member of Melody of China since 1993. Mr. Lu specializes in dizi, or "bamboo flutes"; Mr. Lu has performed new and traditional music with various artists all over the world. He performs regularly with Melody of China including at their annual home season concerts.

Ali Akbar College of Music Ensemble

Swapan Chaudhuri
Swapan Chaudhuri is considered to be one of the greatest living musicians and tabla virtuosos of our time. As both a soloist and accompanist, Swapan's nuanced and lyrical ability to bring to life even the most complex and challenging compositions gives audiences a rare glimpse into the depth and majesty of tabla's vast repertoire.  Two records, Legacy (1987) and Passing on the Tradition (1998) were nominated for Grammy awards, on which Swapan collaborated with Asha Bhosle and Maestro Ali Akbar Khan.  Swapan is the recipient of the American Academy of Artists Award and a nominee to the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.  In 2011 he was awarded a National Lifetime Achievement Award, the Bharat Ke Sangeet Ratna, by the Art & Cultural Trust of India for his lasting contributions to classical Indian music and tabla.  For the past 20 years, he has also served as Department Chairperson/ Senior Faculty of the World Music Program at the California Institute of the Arts.