Qi Yu is a guzheng (Chinese zither) artist, composer, and educator based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Originally from Inner Mongolia, China, she began studying the guzheng at the age of six and has since dedicated her life to expanding the instrument’s expressive possibilities on the global stage.

Qi’s work bridges traditional Chinese music with contemporary genres, blending the guzheng’s ethereal tones with jazz, Latin music, and other global music styles. Her innovative approach pushes the boundaries of the instrument, creating a unique soundscape that honors tradition while embracing experimentation and improvisation.

She holds dual master’s degrees in World Music and Recording Arts from Northern Illinois University, where she deepened both her technical and creative fluency in cross-cultural musical dialogue. In 2025, she was selected for the Strathmore Artist in Residence Program, joining a cohort of emerging artists shaping the future of the performing arts.

As a performer, Qi has appeared on some of the most celebrated stages, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Kennedy Center, and Strathmore, among others. Her work also extends beyond the stage—through workshops, collaborations, and recording projects, she is committed to making the guzheng accessible to broader audiences and inspiring the next generation of boundary-pushing musicians.