Building bridges

Her performances have received positive responses, with audiences often expressing their appreciation for the enchanting melodies and even dancing or tapping their feet to the rhythm.

Children often dance to the lively tune of Horse Racing, sometimes you see an elderly man swaying to Goodbye, My Friend, and even an Italian woman doing tai chi to Chinese music, says Zheng.

"Music is a bridge for cultural communication, transcending language barriers," she says.

To enhance her performances and expand the allure of Chinese traditional folk music, Zheng collaborates with other musicians, integrating instruments such as the pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute), cello, and saxophone alongside the erhu.

"I will continue to explore ways of collaboration with both traditional Chinese culture and Western culture, not just musical instruments, but also opera singing, street dancing and bianlian, the traditional Sichuan opera face-swapping performance," she says.

Her efforts extend beyond live performances, as she shares her street performances online to showcase the charm of the erhu to a global audience.

Zheng says that music is a powerful tool for cultural exchange and understanding, fostering meaningful connections.

"Many people asked me about the erhu, such as how many strings it has, and some people have made observations about how I play the instrument," she says.

Through her performances, she has not only sparked curiosity about the erhu, but has also inspired cultural appreciation.

"One Italian woman purchased a traditional Chinese hanfu outfit after being captivated by my winter attire during a street performance," says Zheng.

"Every time the audience appreciates my performance and wants to learn more about the erhu, I am encouraged and feel it is meaningful to spread Chinese culture by doing street performances," she says.

Looking ahead, Zheng has aspirations to organize her own concerts to provide a platform for a wider audience to appreciate the beauty and cultural significance of Chinese folk music.

Contact the writer at zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn