Hulusi Demonstration and Interactive Workshop
Take part in this one-hour session to experience the beauty of the Hulusi, a traditional Chinese free-reed wind instrument made of bamboo and gourd.
Thursday, November 6 at 1 p.m. in Helland Center, H.1002
Originating from the Dai and other ethnic groups in Yunnan, Southwest China, the Hulusi has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was traditionally used as a love instrument for courtship and communication. The modern version—refined and standardized in the 1950s—has since become one of China’s most representative folk instruments.
The workshop includes:
- A live performance and introduction to the Hulusi’s cultural background and playing techniques
- Hands-on trials for participants to try playing the instrument
- A short questionnaire as part of research on public perceptions of traditional instruments
Register here. (Registration is not required)
We are recruiting performers interested in learning the Hulusi or joining future performances and research collaborations. No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!
For more information or questions, email Peter Yang.
This event is presented by APIDA Community Empowerment (ACE) Program.
Instructor Bio:
Ziyue Tan is a choir conductor, vocalist, piano performer, and Hulusi (traditional Chinese instrument) performer. She holds M.A. and B.A. degrees in Music Education in Central Conservatory of Music and has over seven years of teaching experience in piano, voice, and Hulusi. Since earning her diploma in the Kodály teaching method from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in 2019, she has been dedicated to applying and adapting this approach across diverse age groups and cultural settings.
As a Hulusi soloist, Ziyue worked with a full symphony orchestra at the Ningxia Grand Theatre, showcasing the expressive potential of traditional Chinese instruments in a Western classical setting.
In addition, she has led Hulusi education programs in 10 primary schools across Ningxia, actively contributing to the development and promotion of Hulusi education in China. Ziyue's work reflects a strong commitment to cross-cultural musical dialogue and the preservation and innovation of traditional music. In USA, she performed at Boston Scientific Company, World Tachi and Qigong Day in Hopkins, Farmington library, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Hospitality Center and etc., in 2024-2025. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the School of Music, University of Minnesota, exploring the Hulusi in foreign cultural context.