As the leading San Francisco-based Chinese chamber ensemble founded in 1993, our artists come together to deliver captivating performances and enriching experiences through an exciting blend of traditional Chinese music, western music, and cross-genre works. Led by Artistic Director, Yangqin Zhao on the hammered dulcimer, Melody of China’s performances have reached international stages, world music festivals, residencies, and collaboration projects with renowned artists and composers from around the world.

Melody of China instrumentations is comprised of the Chinese traditional instruments: yangqin (hammered dulcimer), guzheng (zither), erhu (two-stringed fiddle), pipa (lute), sheng (mouth organ), dizi (bamboo flute), Chinese percussions and other instruments.

Melody of China performances have broken barriers in combing traditional Chinese music with contemporary works by the influential composers of Kui Dong, Gang Situ and Yuanlin Chen. Since 1993, MoC has commissioned and premiered over 40 new works by 20 contemporary composers across numerous Bay Area venues including Davies Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre, Old First Church, UC San Francisco, University of San Francisco, among others. Although keeping one foot firmly planted in tradition, MoC has led many innovative and experimental projects, including concerts featuring Songs from Mongolia and the Young Composers Series, where young Bay Area composers are asked to compose music for Chinese instruments.

Since the group’s inception in 1993, music education has remain one of Melody of China’s core value missions. Deeply committed to providing proper musical education to folks of all ages, Melody of China has led numerous classes and workshops geared toward a greater appreciation for the beauty and versatility of Chinese instruments. MoC has contracted with San Francisco Symphony’s Adventures in Music Program (AIM) and Young Audiences for many consecutive years. Melody of China’s tuition-free and in-demand after school program funded by the California Arts Council, where students learn to play a Chinese instrument of their choice, has been a huge success at Sunset Elementary School.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Melody of China has been in contract working with the LA Music Center, by bringing live and pre-recorded performances and music education shows to the students of LAUSD to great success.

Yangqin Zhao
Executive and Artistic Director
info@melodyofchina.org
(415) 215-7581

Mailing Address:
Yangqin Zhao
450A 2nd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118