Bio

Wan Yeung is a pipa musician and music scholar from Hong Kong whose work bridges tradition and innovation. He began studying the pipa at age 12 and quickly distinguished himself, earning numerous accolades including a gold medal at an international Chinese instrument competition. While deeply rooted in traditional and regional styles of Chinese music, particularly Cantonese opera and naamyam, Wan is equally known for his contemporary and experimental projects. He collaborates with composers and musicians across genres, expanding the expressive range of the pipa and integrating Chinese musical aesthetics into Western classical and new music contexts.

Wan holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from UCLA and works across performance, research, and forensic musicology. His scholarship explores instrumental traditions in Hong Kong, nanguan music in Taiwan, and Cantonese opera in Asian American communities. Whether performing solo, with ensembles, or in interdisciplinary collaborations, Wan is committed to making traditional instruments feel alive and relevant, sparking curiosity, connection, and new conversations across cultures.