YuQi Deng, 亓瑀, a virtuosic GuZheng (Chinese zither) performer, born in Xi’an, China, received her Bachelor’s degree from Tradition Chinese Music Department at Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) (中央音乐学院), China, also holds a master degree of Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.

Since 2009, as a soloist and an ensemble group member, YuQi has been actively involved in many musical events and concerts around Chicago area. YuQi has been working closely with many of renowned composers and conductors, including Neil Rolnick, YAO Chen, LIU Hao, Emanuele Andrizzi, Michael Lewanski, etc. She has also been performing in several concerts and musical events with musicians from Chicago Symphony Orchestra, HongKong Symphony Orchestra, and many other musicians from all around the world.  She served as a judge of the Annual Music Competition in Honor of Confucius held by CFAS (Chinese Fine Arts Society). Her students won many of the top prices in the competition during multiple years and performed live on Chicago radio station to promote Chinese culture and arts.

In 2007, YuQi received her master degree in Ethnomusicology at the University of Washington in Seattle and also served as the GuZheng instructor for the Department, meanwhile, she was invited to give concerts, workshops and lectures at UW, University of Kentucky, University of South Dakota, Northern Illinois University, etc.  She was the solo musician performed at a number of music festivals such as Seattle Folklife Festival. She was the recipient of Visiting Artist Scholarship and successfully performed on the GuZheng as a soloist, as well as with musicians from diverse cultural background.

After graduation from CCOM, YuQi worked at the China Opera & Dance Drama Company (CODDC) (中国歌剧舞剧院) as a GuZheng soloist and performed widely in China and other countries in Asia and America since after. She was the solo GuZheng performer in the Chinese National Traditional Music Concert in celebration of return of Hong Kong, she also performed during former US President Bill Clinton’s visit to China. She frequently recorded GuZheng music for record companies, CCTV, and a large number of TV series and programs. 

During her four year’s at Central Conservatory of Music, she studied under the guidance of professor QIU Dacheng, LI Meng and ZHOU Wang. The renowned composer XU Xiaolin, was also one of her mentors. YuQi participated in various provincial and national music instrument performances and competitions. She was awarded university scholarship for outstanding academic achievements, successfully held the GuZheng recital, and was one of the winners in the National GuZheng Competition sponsored by China Culture Bureau.

YuQi currently lives in Chicago IL with her family and enjoys running her GuZheng studio.