Private lessons
Individual guidance shaped around your goals, playing level, and pace.
Erhu artist · Teacher · Cultural storytellerTwo strings.
Two strings.
A thousand
possibilities.
Discover the expressive beauty of the erhu, where Chinese tradition meets a world of creative possibility.
TRADITION, IN A NEW LIGHTRooted in tradition. Open to possibility.
01 / The Artist
A voice beyond
A voice beyond
words.
Erhu artist · Educator · Li Zhang
Back to top ↑I am an erhu teacher at the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts, a registered early childhood music teacher, and an erhuist in the Qi Ensemble. I began my musical journey at the age of four in my hometown of Beijing, China, studying erhu with renowned erhu masters Xunfeng Jiang and Yongning Liu. I received my MA from Wuhan University in 2009.
I have performed as an invited soloist in Europe, North America, and Asia and have taught numerous master classes in China. I have served as a judge for instrumental competitions in Beijing and as the adjudicator for the Chinese Instrument Class at the Toronto Kiwanis Festival in 2024.
I was the music director of the Grand River Chinese Orchestra in 2023 and concertmaster of the Beijing Jinfan Chinese Orchestra (1998), the Wuhan University Chinese Orchestra (2005), and the Waterloo Chinese Orchestra (2014). I have also been a guest musician in various Canadian Chinese orchestras.
Recognition
Awards & achievements
- Students won first prize at Toronto Kiwanis (2023).
- Beijing Youth Music Competition: First Place (1996).
- National Chinese Music Competition: First Place as the erhu soloist in the Fiddle Concerto “Medley of Five Strings” (2006).
- The People’s Scholarship in China (2007, 2008).
- Invited to perform at the Great Hall of the People for Chinese President Jiang Zemin (1998).
- Invited to perform for national leaders at the Beijing Concert Hall and Zhongnanhai, Beijing.
02 / Erhu LessonsYour first note.
Back to top ↑Your first note.
Your own journey.
Whether you are discovering the erhu for the first time or returning to music, start with a conversation about your interests and goals.
Choose how you learn
Group lessons
Learn alongside others, share ideas, and grow through making music together.
Online lessons
Connect with Li Zhang remotely and continue your erhu journey from home.
一
Build a foundation
Explore posture, bowing, listening, and the beauty of a clear tone.
二
Find your expression
Discover phrasing, musical feeling, and the stories within a melody.
三
Connect with culture
Explore Chinese musical traditions through the music you learn.
Anecdotal thoughts on teachingLearning together.
Learning together.
Growing through music.
The erhu is a traditional Chinese instrument with two strings and a rich history dating back over a thousand years. Often called the “Chinese violin” or “Chinese two-string fiddle,” its warm, soulful tones express a wide range of moods and emotions.
Learning and performing on the erhu has enriched my life and deepened my understanding of Chinese culture. Over the past 15 years, I have taught students from three to eighty years old, tailoring my approach to each personality.
I am passionate about teaching both children and adults, immersing them in Chinese culture and the historical context of music from different eras. My students’ curiosity and creativity often give me new inspiration. I am dedicated to promoting Chinese music worldwide and bringing East and West closer together.
03 / PerformancesAn unforgettable
01 02 03 Watch the ensemble in action ↓
Back to top ↑An unforgettable
musical encounter.
Bring the distinctive voice of the erhu to your occasion. Share your event details to discuss the music, atmosphere, and possibilities.
Concerts & recitals
An invitation to listen deeply and discover the expressive range of the erhu.
Cultural occasions
Celebrate connection and heritage through the beauty of Chinese music.
Creative collaborations
Explore a musical conversation across instruments, genres, and artistic disciplines.
Intergenerational music making
InterGen Chinese Instrument Ensemble
Discover the rich traditions of Chinese music in a fresh, collaborative way with the InterGen Chinese Instrument Ensemble. This unique ensemble brings together generations of musicians to explore and perform the vibrant sounds of traditional Chinese instruments. From the delicate pluck of the guzheng to the soaring notes of the erhu, members of all ages will learn from each other, rehearse together, and culminate their journey in a powerful final performance that celebrates community, culture, and intergenerational connection through music. Whether you’re just beginning or have years of experience, there’s a place for you in InterGen.
Who can join
This ensemble is not auditioned, but you should have basic working knowledge of your instrument to join. Our members range in age from 4 to 80. Parts will be arranged based on each participant’s playing level.
Instruments
Current instrumentation includes erhu, yangqin, cello, violin, guzheng, keyboard, and percussion. We welcome these instruments and any others not yet represented! Please bring your own instrument, except keyboard and percussion.
Repertoire
Repertoire includes film music, traditional Chinese works, and pop arrangements.
- Red Dust Inn
- Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon
- Preface to the Orchid Pavilion
- Big Fish
- Chinese Music in a Flourishing Age
- The Two Sides of Yan Xun
- Mayila
- Gulangyu Island
- Morning Song
- Fengyang Flower Drum
- Harry Potter Theme
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- Interstellar
- Fireworks Fade
- A Beautiful Night
- My Motherland
Watch & listen
Making music together
Meet the ensemble leaders
Back to top ↑This ensemble is led by conductor Li Zhang and co-facilitated by Mark Norris and Kelsey Cai.
04 / Get in touchLet’s begin
Back to top ↑Let’s begin
with a conversation.
Interested in learning the erhu or bringing its music to your next event? Share what you have in mind.
Contact details to be added. This preview prepares an enquiry to copy; it does not send it.