Cheng Yu

London Youlan Qin Society Music Yaji Gathering – “Of Spring Scents and Cadences”
2026-03-07 13:00 - 16:30 UTC
LYQS 161st Yaji Gathering – “Of Spring Scents and Cadences”日暖花香山鸟啼
Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026Time: 1:00pmVenue: SOAS, University of LondonMain Building, Room RG01, WC1H 0XG
The London Youlan Qin Society (LYQS) will hold its 161st Yaji gathering at SOAS, bringing together guqin enthusiasts and Chinese music lovers for an afternoon of cultural exchange and artistic sharing.
Cheng Yu, Founder and Chairman of the London Youlan Qin Society, will attend and take part in this special gathering.
The event welcomes both performers and listeners. Participants who wish to perform are invited to submit their programme by 5 March via email.
This regular Yaji provides a relaxed and friendly platform for appreciating guqin music, traditional aesthetics, and scholarly exchange.
Book your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lyqs-161st-yaji-gathering-tickets-1981497189434?aff=erelexpmlt
For performance enquiries: info@ukchinesemusic.comWebsite: www.ukchinesemusic.com

Oxford University – St Cross Traditional Chinese FolkMusic Concert
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:00
Invited by St Cross College, University of London’s World Music Series this year, renowned musicians Cheng Yu and Zongpu Lu will perform as the Silk & Bamboo Duo for the evening concert with a programme that celebrates traditional and regional Chinese music.
The Silk & Bamboo Duo comprises:
https://www.stx.ox.ac.uk/event/st-cross-traditional-chinese-folk-music-concert
Cheng Yu who plays the pipa (four-stringed lute) and guqin (seven-stringed zither).
and Zongpu Lu who plays the dizi (transverse) and xiao (vertical) flutes.
Date & Time: 7pm, 7th May 2026 (Free entry, booking requested)
Venue: Pusey House Chapel
St Cross College, University of Oxford
61 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3LZ
Booking:
This concert is free to attend but registration is required due to limited seating.
If you’d like to attend please register at this link.
12:30 – 13:15, Saturday 25 July 2026
Westminster Reference Library, London
35 St Martin’s St, WC2H 7HP
Admission: Free | Limited Seating
Book Ticket: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=G96VzPWXk0-0uv5ouFLPkR5jaOhZ-WFAsg1e4vS9kAxUMjMzNk82TVNLV1ExOUlCRVAwU0pTWFI2WiQlQCNjPTEu&route=shorturl
Follow Cheng Yu’s youtube and watch more concert pieces online: https://www.youtube.com/@chengyu_music

London Youlan Qin Society Music Yaji Gathering – “Spring’s Echo, Summer’s Prelude”
2026-05-09 13:00 - 15:30
LYQS 162nd Yaji Gathering – Spring’s Echo, Summer’s Prelude 舞雩弦音
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PMVenue: Room C325, Main Building, SOAS, University of London, WC1H 0XG

Join us for good vibes and great company as we welcome spring’s whispers and summer’s first notes at our 162nd Yaji!

On Saturday, 9 May 2026, the London Youlan Qin Society warmly welcomes lovers of guqin and Chinese music to a musical yaji gathering in London. The event will take place from 1:00-3:30pm. Centred on the performance of the guqin and other Chinese instruments, the event offers a graceful space to welcome early summer through culture and shared appreciation.

The event welcomes both performers and listeners.
This regular Yaji provides a relaxed and friendly platform for appreciating guqin music, traditional aesthetics, and scholarly exchange.
Book your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lyqs-161st-yaji-gathering-tickets-1981497189434?aff=erelexpmlt
For performance enquiries: info@ukchinesemusic.comWebsite: www.ukchinesemusic.com

Guqin Performance at the opening of the special exhibition "Form and Flux" - Afridi London and Michael Goedhuis Gallery
2026-07-07 18:30 - 20:00
Thanks to the invitation from Afridi London and Michael Goedhuis Gallery, I will be performing classic guqin music next Tuesday evening, July 7, at the opening of the special exhibition “Form and Flux: Chinese and Japanese Art and Silk Road Textiles.” The exhibition will run for one week at Afridi Gallery. If you are interested, please come along to see this rare exhibition. See details see the poster and websites. www.shahbazafridi.com and www.michaelgoedhuis.com .

Intercultural Music Dialogue - Pipa Works in Transcultural Music
2026-07-13 19:00 - 21:00
Super pleased to announce the upcoming seminar/workshop – Intercultural Music Dialogue Pipa works in Transcultural Music. I will be hosting this event on behalf of the Dept. of music, SOAS, University of London to welcome Dr LIU Lu, Senior Lecture and Discipline leader of Intercultural Music from Sydney Conservatory of Music and composer and Professor Michael Elison from University of Bristol. We will focus on the pipa music transition traditional and contemporary, explore the challenges of composer–performer collaboration and musical meanings. It will combine discussion, demonstration, a Q & A with the audience and a short improvisatory performance involving the 4 and 5-stringed pipa with Baglama (Turkish lute) or piano.
We look forward to sharing ideas, music, and conversations with fellow musicians, composers, scholars, students, and audience on this inspiring evening.

Lunchtime Concert – Quartet Siji 四季
2026-07-25 12:30 - 13:30
Lunchtime Concert – Quartet Siji 四季Pipa, Dizi, Cello & Piano
Date & Time: Date & Time: 12:30 – 13:15, Saturday 25 July 2026
Venue: Westminster Reference Library, London
35 St Martin’s St, WC2H 7HP
Admission: Free | Limited SeatingBook Ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lunchtime-concert-ft-quartet-siji-tickets-1981859617466
We are delighted to be invited to perform in the City of Westminster.
Quartet Siji, a new ensemble presented by China Arts, makes its debut at the Westminster Reference Library Lunchtime Concert with a distinctive cross-cultural programme.
This concert is supported by the City of Westminster Council and Westminster Reference Library.
About Quartet Siji
Quartet Siji is a cross-cultural Chinese and Western exploration of their respective sound worlds featuring both classics and new compositions.
Programme highlights include:

Spring Dance 春舞 – Premier by Ray Lin (2026)
Echoes of Galaxy 星河垂笛 – Premier by Wang Qingyuan (2025)
Camel Bell of the Silk Road 丝路驼铃 – Ning Yong, arr. by Ray Lin
Shadows of the Sword 剑影 – By Ray Lin (2025)
Galloping Horse 赛马 – By Huang Haihuai, adapted by the quartet
Going Home 思念故乡 – By Antonín Dvořák, arr. by Ray Lin

Musicians:

Cheng Yu – pipa (4-stringed lute)
Zongpu Lu – dizi (bamboo flutes)
Hoda Jahanpour – cello
Bingbing Jiang – piano
Artistic Director: Cheng Yu
Music Director: Ray Lin

2026 Fourth London International Chinese Music Festival
2026-08-24 12:30 - 2026-08-28 13:30
Festival Director: Cheng Yu
24-28 August 2026, SOAS, University of London

Registration is now open for the Fourth London International Chinese Music Festival – the only festival of its kind in Europe. We offer systematic tuition, master classes and workshops and related learning experiences, grading and competitions as well a series of concerts. You are warmly invited to join us for this rich celebration of Chinese music. Download the exam and competition guidelines here. Download the festival registration form here. Book concert tickets here.
The festival comprises:
• 5-day Summer School 24 to 28 August (mornings).

• 2 days Grading Exams and Competition 27 to 28 August
• Concerts, Various themes and venues in London and beyond
• Yaji Literati Gathering – Guqin Music, Poetry, Traditional Costume and Tea (Free)
• Master classes/workshops (afternoons)
• Calligraphy and Chinese chess
• Singing and Choir (new) and Instrumental Ensemble (afternoons)

This year features a new Chinese Singing and Choir Class (see below), enabling access for a wider range of participants (see below). We are also building on the success of “Lutes of the Silk Road” (2024, supported by ACE) and “China West Soundscape” (2025), with the exciting new project of Sounds of East.

Main Partners and Organisers
In partnership with SOAS, University of London and the China Nationalities Orchestra Society (CNOS, China), the festival is organised by China Arts (UK), the London Youlan Qin Society and UK Chinese Music.
As places are limited, early registration is strongly recommended.

Main Musicians / Artists (UK Based) • Cheng Yu 程玉 – pipa and guqin virtuoso, Professor, Festival Director
• Chen Dacan 陈大灿 – erhu master/Professor and adjudicator
• Wang Chen 王晨 – vocalist and choir tutor
• Huang Ziyang 黄子洋 – erhu artist
• Yang Kang 杨康 – guzheng/vocal artist
• Ji Mengdie 冀梦蝶 – guzheng artist
• Chia-Yin Hung 洪嘉吟 – guqin and pipa performer
• Lu Zongpu 路宗璞 – dizi and xiao performer
• Dennis Lee 李光泰 – xiao and dizi performer
• Wang Wei 王蔚 – Beijing Opera and Kunqu performer
• Wan Ying 万英 – Chinese percussionist
• Jing Hui 蒋慧 – Chinese percussionist
• Lin Chen 林晨 – pipa/zhongruan lutes player
• Dr Hwee-San Tan 陈慧珊 – ethnomusicologist, lecturer and adjudicator
• Qin Lei 秦蕾 – calligrapher/guqin player

Main Musicians (International)
• Hong Yue 洪悦 – guzheng virtuosi and national credited examiner (Beijing, China)

• Xie Liqing 谢丽清 – Chaozhou music and sanxian specialist (Canton, China)
• Wu Dan 毋丹 – Kun Opera singer and scholar (Zhejiang, China)

Concert Series

Tue. 25 August 2026, 6pm Concert and workshop at Chinese Arts and Culture Centre, Unit E4, Stafford Park 15, Telford, TF3 3BB
Wed. 26 August 2026, 7pm Sound of East, Kamran Djam Lecture Theatre, SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, London WC1H 0XG
Thu. 27 August 2026, 7pm Gala Concert, Holy Sepulchre London, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DQ
Fri. 28 August 2026, 7pm Showcase Concert, Kamran Djam Lecture Theatre, SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, London WC1H 0XG

Yaji Gathering
Guqin Music, Poetry, Traditional Costume and Tea Friday 28 August 2:00-4:40pm, Djam Lecture.

The yaji (refined gathering) is a traditional Chinese literati activity with a history traceable to the Wei and Jin periods (3rd to 5th centuries CE). It is a gathering of free-spirited artists associated with guqin (zither) music playing, poetry, calligraphy, landscape painting and tea or wine, discussing philosophy, literature and art. For this meeting, we will focus on guqin music (and associated instrumental music) with poetry recital and accompanied with Chinese tea. We encourage participants to wear Hanfu (traditional Chinese costume). Places are limited, please register as early as possible.

SOAS Summer School Programme
24-28 August 2026 at SOAS, University of London 10am to 1pm (Instrumental classes),

2pm to 5pm (workshops, Choir, Ensemble etc.)

The five-day Summer School offers expert tuition on traditional Chinese instruments:
guqin 古琴, guzheng 古筝, pipa 琵琶, sanxian 三弦, erhu 二胡, dizi 笛子and xiao箫, singing and Chinese choir (声乐/合唱), Chinese folk percussion (中乐民族打击乐) and an ensemble class (民乐合课).

The summer school is carefully structured based on our previous experience: participants learn individual instruments they have chosen in the morning, join the workshops/masterclasses, singing/choir and ensemble classes in the afternoons and go to a concert in the evenings. It will be a friendly, colourful and fulfilling week. The summer school is 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 (see above) on their perspective instruments in both China and the UK and have years of teaching experience. At the end of the summer school, participants will have opportunities to give a demonstration and/or performance.

Masterclasses and Workshops
SOAS main building room G52 – 2.00pm

• Pipa masterclass – by Prof. Cheng Yu, 24 August 2pm
• Erhu workshop – Prof. Zhao Huan/Huang Ziyang – 24 August 7pm to 9pm
• Dizi/Xiao/ flutes workshop – Lu Zongpu/Dennis Lee: 25 August 2pm
• Guqin masterclass – 25 August 7 to 9pm
• Guzheng workshop – Yang Kang/Ji Mengdie, 26 August 2pm
• Sanxian (3-stringed lute) masterclass – Xie Liqing, 26 August 7pm
• Kunqu Opera workshop – Wang Wei, 28 August 10am
• Calligraphy workshop – Azalea Qin Lei, 28 August 2pm.

Chinese Singing and Choir Course – SOAS, 2.00 to 3.30pm, 24 to 27 Aug
As part of the festival, we are delighted to present a fun and welcoming vocal workshop open to both young teenagers and adults to sing in Chinese. No previous experience is required. Through these five interactive sessions, participants will explore voice, breathing, musical expression, and the joy of singing together in a relaxed and creative environment.

The singing course includes: • Basic vocal and breathing techniques Voice relaxation and resonance exercises • Simple song learning and musical expression • Group singing and harmony experience • Confidence and stage presence building We warmly welcome you to join us this summer and discover the power of your own voice. At the end of the summer school, you will be a chance to demonstrate what you have learnt and to join in a group/choir performance.

Ensemble classes (level 3/4 or above required) Prof. Zhaohuan, Prof. Chen Dacan, Prof. Cheng Yu, Xie Liqing and others.
The ensemble class is designed for students to learn and practice in a group setting under the guidance of the tutors. Participant are required to have obtained at least a level 3 or 4 qualification from any nationally recognized examining body in China, such as CNOS, China Central Conservatory, China conservatory and Shanghai Conservatory. Through this course, participants can expect to learn at least two pieces at different levels. Confident players will join the Showcase concert to perform.
Chinese Folk Percussion Music Course Supplementary activity Weiqi (Chinese Chess (Go)) – during leisure periods (e.g. lunchtime, practice time) Supervisor Elaine Yu Chinese Calligraphy Workshop (SOAS, Room G52) Calligraphy: Azalea Qin Lei – 2 to 4pm, 28rd Aug. We reserve the right to adjust the schedule, venues and personnel due to unforeseen circumstances.

Tutors for the festival summer school classes
• Guqin 古琴 Advanced classes
• Guqin 古琴初中级 Beginner to intermediate – taught by Chia-Yin Hung 洪嘉吟
• Pipa 琵琶 – taught by Prof. Cheng Yu and Lin Chen 程玉教授/林晨
• Guzheng 古筝 – taught by Yang Kang and Ji Mengdie 杨康/冀梦蝶
• Erhu 二胡 – taught by Huang Ziyang and Prof. Chen Dacan 黄子洋/陈大灿教授
• Dizi and xiao flutes笛箫– taught by Zongpu Lu and Dennis Lee 路宗璞/李光泰
• Sanxian lute 三弦 and Chaozhou Music – taught by Xie Liqin 谢丽清
• Chinese Percussion 民族打击乐 – taught by Wan Ying/Jiang Hui 万英/蒋慧
• Singing & Choir – taught by Wang Chen 王晨
• Ensemble Class – taught by Prof Zhao Huan, Prof. Chen Dacan, Wan Ying
• Calligraphy workshop – taught by Azalea 秦蕾

• Chinese Chess (Go) – Lunchtime leisure activity, overseen by Elaine Yu 于宁 At the end of the summer school, all participants will have opportunities to demonstrate what they have learnt. We encourage participants, especially young learners, to take the instrumental Grading Exams and competition that the festival provides to show what they have achieved. High achievers and winners will join our Showcase and or concerts with our professional musicians.
Concerts and Festival Performances
The festival presents a series of performances featuring artists from the UK, China and the wider international Chinese music community.

Gala Concert The SOAS concert will focus on traditional Chinese and Intangible Cultural Heritage music, featuring instruments such as guqin, guzheng, pipa, dizi, xiao, xun, erhu and ruan, alongside ensemble works, opera collaborations and performances by outstanding festival participants and prizewinners.

Showcase Concert This concert will feature festival artists, participants, and selected prizewinners from the grading examinations and competition.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
• perform in public concerts • take part in a professional competition
• receive official dual certification recognised in China and the UK
• join lectures, workshops and masterclasses • receive guidance from distinguished artists and adjudicator

Grading Examinations and Competition
27–28 August 2026 | SOAS, University of London

The festival offers participants the opportunity to take part in grading examinations and competitions jointly evaluated and recognised in both China and the UK/West, though the examining bodies: SOAS, University of London, China Arts (UK) and the China Nationalities Orchestra Society (CNOS) – China’s leading authority for Chinese music. There has long been a need for learners of Chinese traditional instruments in the UK to be able to take such exams and have their achievements over the years recognised, and to encourage them to further their musical development. This is especially good for young learners as the grades are recognised by UK mainstream schools. For example, our grade achievers and competition winners have contributed to their music scholarship in mainstream schools, university entry and to giving performances on major stages in the UK. For details, see the guidelines. Categories include:
• All Traditional Chinese instruments (individuals and ensembles) • Vocal performance (Songs in Chinese, individuals and Choirs) •Chinese instruments with Western or World music groups/ensembles. Exams and competitions (divided into youth and adult groups) include all types of traditional Chinese instruments: guqin, guzheng, pipa, liuqin, yangqin, sanxian, zhongruan/daruan, erhu, dizi, xiao, sheng, suona, hulusi, singing, choir and ensemble/group performances. Awards include First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, Outstanding Performance Award, Best Stage Presentation Award and Outstanding Teacher Award.

Join Us
If you love Chinese music, wish to perform on an international stage, or would like to deepen your artistic and cultural experience, we warmly invite you to join the 2026 London International Chinese Music Festival.

Registration and Enquiries Places are limited and early registration is strongly recommended.
Email: info@ukchinesemusic.com
Websites: ukchinesemusic.org | china-arts.uk | chengyumusic.com
Instagram: @ukchinesemusic @china_arts_uk @londonyoulanqinsociety Download the exam and competition guidelines here.
Download the festival registration form here.
Book concert tickets here.
