When Qingyang You stepped onto the stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the 2026 World Heritage Cultural Festival, he carried far more than a musical instrument. As the gentle melody of Moonlight Over the Phoenix Bamboo flowed from his hulusi, the audience experienced not only the beauty of traditional Chinese music, but also the cultural heritage of a performer who has devoted his life to preserving one of China's oldest folk art traditions.
The invitation marked You's fifth appearance at United Nations cultural events in recent years, reinforcing his growing role as a cultural ambassador dedicated to introducing traditional Chinese performing arts to international audiences. For him, every overseas performance represents an opportunity to demonstrate that traditional culture remains vibrant, relevant, and capable of connecting people across languages and national boundaries.
Born in Tieling, Liaoning Province, in northeastern China, You began studying Errenzhuan—literally "Two-Person Turn"—at an early age under renowned master Liu Jiang. Today recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage of China, Errenzhuan is far more than a regional folk performance. It is a highly demanding art form that combines storytelling, singing, dancing, acting, comedy, acrobatics, and musical performance, while requiring performers to engage audiences through wit, improvisation, and expressive stage presence.
After years of intensive training, You joined the Tieling Folk Art Troupe, where he refined his craft through professional performances across China. His repertoire includes many of the best-known traditional productions, including Zha Mei An, Bao Gong Pei Qing, The West Chamber, Zhang Silin Descends to Earth, Shuang Suo Shan, Hui Bei Ji, Fen He Wan, Luo Cheng Fortune Telling, Zhang Lang Xiu Qi, and Du Shiniang. Performing in cities throughout China, he earned recognition from audiences and industry professionals alike for his versatility, technical skill, and engaging stage personality.
His accomplishments have also been recognized through numerous honors. In 2019, he was named a Representative Inheritor of Tieling's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Earlier, he received the Advanced Distinctive Performance Award from the China Quyi Artists Association in 2018 and was honored as one of the "Top Ten Famous Comic Actors" at the prestigious Benshan Cup Northeast Errenzhuan Competition in 2017. His comedy sketch Pure Heart Soup also received the Grand Artistic Award at the Sixth Liaoning Errenzhuan and Sketch Art Festival.
Although deeply rooted in the tradition of Errenzhuan, You has also established himself as an accomplished hulusi performer. The bamboo wind instrument, known for its warm, lyrical tone, has become another important vehicle through which he introduces Chinese culture abroad. In 2025, he won Second Prize in the Traditional Instrument category at the Fourth New York Global Music Competition and later performed at Carnegie Hall, where his rendition of Moonlight Over the Phoenix Bamboo received enthusiastic applause from an international audience.
Since relocating to New York, You has devoted much of his career to cultural exchange through performance. His appearances extend well beyond formal concert halls. He has participated in Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at the United Nations, Lunar New Year galas, Asian Heritage Month programs, Earth Day celebrations, charity performances, educational outreach events, and community festivals throughout New York and other states. Whether performing an Errenzhuan comedy sketch or a hulusi solo, he hopes audiences can experience the richness and diversity of traditional Chinese culture firsthand.
Earlier this year, You was recognized by Global Harmony Allies during a New York Earth Day celebration after performing Moonlight Over the Phoenix Bamboo. For him, the event demonstrated how music can transcend cultural differences while resonating with universal themes.
"Art and music know no borders," You says. "When people from different cultural backgrounds can appreciate the same melody, they begin to understand one another. That is the true value of cultural exchange."
His commitment to sharing Chinese culture has also earned recognition from community organizations and public officials in the United States. In addition to numerous certificates of appreciation presented by cultural organizations, he has been honored by New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim for his contributions to multicultural community events. He has also served as a judge for talent competitions and participated in educational performances designed to introduce younger generations to traditional Chinese arts.
Despite his accomplishments, You views himself primarily as a lifelong student of traditional culture rather than simply a performer.
"Traditional culture survives only when people continue to practice it, appreciate it, and pass it on," he explains. "Every performance is both an inheritance from my teachers and a responsibility to future generations."
Looking ahead, You hopes to further expand the presence of Chinese folk arts in the United States through concerts, educational workshops, and cultural exchange programs. He believes traditional performance should not remain confined to museums or history books, but should continue evolving through dialogue with contemporary audiences around the world.
As audiences increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences, Qingyang You's performances offer something both timeless and immediate. Whether through the expressive storytelling of Errenzhuan or the lyrical sound of the hulusi, he continues to build bridges between East and West—one performance, one melody, and one shared cultural experience at a time.
