Crystal Zheng is a renowned guzheng virtuoso, composer, educator, and arts producer, internationally recognized for her artistry and contributions to advancing the Chinese zither worldwide.

She is President of the Dallas Guzheng Association, Founder of the Chinese Zither Network, and Founder and Producer of the Music of Love Charity Concert. She is also a committee member of the China Guzheng Association and the Shaanxi Qinzheng Association. She was invited to serve as an evaluator for the Texas Young Masters Program, administered by the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Education & Artistic Foundation

Crystal began her professional guzheng training at age six after being admitted to the Xi’an Conservatory of Music, where she studied under distinguished guzheng master Professor Jun Wei. She later pursued advanced studies in guzheng performance at the China Conservatory of Music. Throughout her artistic journey, she has been mentored by renowned guzheng masters Yanjia Zhou, Zhongshan Wang, and Yun Qu. Their guidance and years of dedicated practice have shaped her distinctive musical voice, marked by technical precision, expressive depth, and a profound understanding of the guzheng tradition.

Musical Artistry & Achievements

As a performer and composer, Crystal bridges traditional Chinese musical aesthetics with contemporary artistic expression. Her original composition Chunqiu Fu, hundreds of published guzheng scores, and arrangements of popular music reflect her creative versatility. She also records guzheng music for film and television productions, expanding the instrument’s expressive possibilities and bringing its distinctive sound to diverse audiences. Beyond music, her guzheng-inspired poetry captures the instrument’s lyrical beauty and has been widely shared. Her performances and educational videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views worldwide. She has appeared multiple times on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas and was featured in Voyage Dallas Magazine.

Teaching & Global Impact

With more than 25 years of teaching experience, Crystal has taught students in over ten countries and mentors guzheng educators internationally. Her teaching emphasizes a strong technical foundation, musical interpretation, artistic individuality, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Her students have earned first-place honors at the Chinese Culture Competition (U.S. Region) and the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition. Her former student Neil Nayyar is now a professional recording artist and award-winning film composer. Crystal is also dedicated to advancing guzheng education and cultivating the next generation of guzheng educators worldwide.

Cultural Leadership & Vision

As a cultural advocate, Crystal produces and directs concerts, Lunar New Year galas, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, Asian art festivals, and other cross-cultural programs. As Founder and Producer of the Music of Love Charity Concert, she brings artists and communities together to support meaningful causes. The January 2026 concert raised $20,118 for Children’s Health.

Through her artistry, education, and cultural leadership, Crystal continues to foster intercultural understanding, expand opportunities for music education, and strengthen connections between artistic communities. Her enduring mission is to honor the heritage of the guzheng while exploring its evolving possibilities, inspiring future generations to discover, appreciate, and carry forward the timeless beauty of the Guzheng.