Founders

Zichan Yang

Zichan Yang is an international guzheng performer who has performed across North America and all over Asia.

A graduate of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China, Ms. Yang distinguished herself at a young age when her performances were broadcasted throughout China.

Ms. Yang moved to Ottawa in 2001 and co-founded the Zichan International Arts School, which promotes Chinese culture in Ottawa. She also published a bilingual guzheng textbook, which teaches the basics of guzheng. Through her guidance, her students have won many prestigious awards

throughout Canada and the world, as well as received invitations to prestigious highlight galas and government events.

Ms. Yang has also been invited to lecture at multiple universities and schools such as Queen’s University, along with being a faculty member at Carleton University. She also regularly participates in Chinese-Canadian events in Ottawa, strongly advocating for cross-cultural musical dialogues.

Jingyuan Gao

Ms. Jingyuan Gao is an outstanding and passionate guzheng teacher that has been teaching for 15 years. She co-founded and acts as the vice president of the Zichan International Art Academy, where she strongly advocates for music education and the celebration of culture.

Ms. Gao has guided her students to participate in professional Guzheng competitions in both Canada and around the world, where they have won various awards. She herself has also been awarded the Outstanding Instructor Award and the Gold Medal Teacher Award many times.

Ms. Gao was also invited to speak at the Chinese Embassy in Canada, as well as international exchange activities organized by the China Overseas Exchange Association, where she promotes multicultural exchange.

Learn more about our

Past Events

Although this festival is the first of its kind in Canada, we have hosted elsewhere in the world, such as in Vienna Austria, Sydney Australia, and Bo'ao China. All of our previous events have been great successes and have received positive feedback. Through the Canadian International Music Festival, we aim to continue this success and empower even more young musicians.