The festival will feature China’s master musician, Prof. Zhao Xinzhi, young Australian composer/conductor Ray Lin, as well as renowned UK virtuoso Dr Cheng Yu (pipa lutes) and talented young musicians Lu Zongpu (dizi/xiao flutes), Yang Kang and Ji Mengdie (guzheng zither), Zhang Jiaqi (guqin zither), Huang Ziyang (erhu), Beijing Opera artist Wang Wei and more.

International Musicians / Artists

Prof. Zhao Xinzhi (yangqin dulcimer, China)
Li Pengpeng (guqin, Germany)
Rey Lin (Composer/conductor, Australia)
Chen Yi-Chun (Conductor/wind instruments, Taiwan, China)
Suxin Wu (Xun, China)

UK Musician / Artists

Cheng Yu (Pipa and Guqin)
Chen Dacan (Erhu)
Mike Skelton (Percussionist / String instruments)
Yang Kang (Guzheng Zither)
Ji Mengdie  (Guzheng Zither)
Huang Ziyang (Erhu)
Lu Zongpu (Dizi Flute)
Zhang Jiaqi (Guqin / Ruan Lute)
Dennis Lee (Xiao Flute)
Wang Wei (Beijing opera)
Qin Lei Azalea (Calligraphy)

Musicians on Western instruments:
Li Siqian (Piano, China)
Laure Chan (Violin, China)
Musicians from New Elements 

Summer School
Dates: Monday 25 to Friday 29 August, SOAS

The 5-full days’ summer school will comprise classes on the guqin (7-stringed zither), guzheng (21-stringed zither), pipa lute, erhu fiddle and dizi and xiao flutes. This will be a rare opportunity for anyone in the UK and overseas interested in learning and understanding more about traditional Chinese music and instruments. The summer school will combine group classes, one-to-one sessions, masterclasses, talks and demonstrations. It will be open to participants with little or no experience as well as to those at higher levels.

All our tutors have Masters or higher degrees in music on their perspective instruments in both China and the UK, and many years of teaching experience. At the end of the summer school, participants will have opportunities to give a demonstration and/or performance.

Guqin Advanced– taught Li Pengpeng
Guqin intermediate classes / Beginners – taught by by Jiaqi Zhang / Jenny Zhao
Pipa – taught by Cheng Yu / Chia-yin Hong
Guzheng – taught by Yang Kang / Ji Mengdie
Erhu – taught by Huang Ziyang
Wind instruments (dizi, xiao flutes) – taught by Lu Zongpu
Chinese Percussion classes – taught by Micheal Skelton

Supplementary Classes

Instrumental Ensemble classes – taught by Prof. Chen Dacan, Zhang Jiaqi and others
Calligraphy – taught by Qin Lei
Weiqi Chinese Chess (Go) – during leisure periods 


Masterclasses and Workshops

Guqin zither masterclass – by Li Pengpeng, 3.30pm 28 August
Yangqin masterclass – by Prof, Zhao Xinzhi, 2pm 26 August
Beijing Opera masterclass – by Wang Wei, 2pm 27 August
Workshops on guzheng and wind instruments (time tbc.)

Concert Series

1) 1-2pm, 28 August Lunchtime Concert 
2) 7.30pm 29 August – Gala Concert - BGLT, SOAS.
3) 7pm, 27 August – China – West Mixed Concert - (tbc.)
4) 7pm, 30 August – Showcase Concert - Djam Lecture Theatre (DLT), SOAS

Guqin and Chinese Music Yaji Gathering
1:30-4:00 pm 30 August, (SOAS, tbc.)

A special yaji to celebrate Chinese music. The yaji will provide all Festival participants with a chance to interact, share experiences and perform in an informal and relaxed setting.

Chinese Music Grading Exams and Competition

29-30 August – SOAS
Venue: SOAS, University of London, WC1H OXG

With a two-in-one certificate recognised in China and the UK, and a competition prize/participation certificate. We launched this new aspect successfully at our 2023 festival and carried out grading exams on various Chinese instruments, in partnership with SOAS and China’s leading authority in music grading, the China Nationality Orchestra Society (CNOS). Several participants achieved excellent results and their grades were accepted and recognised by UK universities and schools.

The exams provide formal grading certificates recognised by both China and the UK. This is especially good for young learners as the grades are recognised by mainstream UK schools. Competition winners will have the opportunity to perform in one of the Festival’s London concerts.

Exams and competitions (divided into youth and adult groups) include all types of traditional Chinese instruments: guqin, guzheng, pipa, liuqin, yangqin, erhu, dizi, xiao, sheng, suona, hulusi, singing, Drums/percussion instruments and ensemble/group performances.

Download the exam and competition guidelines here.