Riot ArtistsMelody of China
About
Since 1993, Melody of China (MOC) has broken barriers in presenting new and traditional music featuring Chinese instruments, and concert programs which include traditional Chinese music alongside newly commissioned works, often combining Chinese and Western instruments. Over the years, the ensemble has commissioned new works from contemporary composers, and collaborated with various artists and ensembles. Melody of China has also conducted many outreach and educational programs, partnering with such organizations as AIM (Adventures in Music) and The Music Center, offering school programs, classes and lectures around the Bay Area and throughout the U.S.
Artist Links: Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud
Areas of Representation: Worldwide
Biography
Since 1993, Melody of China (MOC) has broken barriers in presenting new and traditional music featuring Chinese instruments such as yangqin (hammered dulcimer), guzheng (zither), erhu (2-string bowed fiddle), pipa (lute), sheng (mouth organ) and dizi (bamboo flute). Concert programs include traditional Chinese music alongside newly commissioned works often combining Chinese and Western instruments. Over the years, the ensemble has commissioned new works from contemporary composers including: Kui Dong, Yuanlin Chen, Gang Situ, Gene Coleman, Carl Stone, Francis Wong and many others. In addition, MOC has collaborated with various artists and ensembles including Zeke Nealy, Swapan Chaudhuri, Earplay, Del Sol Quartet and San Francisco Symphony; MOC has been featured performers in festivals including San Francisco International Arts Festival and the National Folk Festival. Melody of China has also conducted many outreach and educational programs partnering with such organizations as AIM (Adventures in Music) and The Music Center offering school programs, classes and lectures around the Bay Area and throughout the U.S.
Videos
News
- Nomfusi zooms in on self-healing!
Singer’s music inspiration drawn from childhood struggles
NOMFUSI is on a journey to heal herself.
The singer, whose name is Nomfusi Gotyana, said she’s been forced to confront painful childhood experiences to understand how they’ve shaped the woman she’s become.
Nomfusi, from KwaZakhele in the Eastern Cape, told Daily Sun her healing journey has also inspired the music ... - Bia Ferreira Nominated for a Latin Grammy
This week, the 2026 Latin Grammy nominations were announced. We’re proud to see a familiar name on that list – newly signed artist Bia Ferreira. Her newest album “Améfrica” was nominated in the Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album category. The 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards will take place on Thursday, ... - Ana Everling Included on Putumayo Discovery’s “European Escapade”
Romanian vocalist and storyteller Ana Everling is included on Putumayo Discovery’s latest compilation. European Escapade offers an adventurous musical journey across the continent, with surprising detours and appealing songs at every stop. Think of it as a Eurrail pass for the ears: no fixed route, no predetermined destinations, just the pleasure of hopping on and off ... - Manitoba musician Kelly Bado among top winners at Breakout West in Winnipeg
BreakOut West, a four-day music industry conference, three-night music festival and home of the Western Canadian Music Artistic Awards, is being held in Winnipeg from Sept. 24 to 28, with Big Dave McLean and Kelly Bado among the big winners from the home province.
Other top winners of the awards presented on Sept. 25 include Fransaskois ...
Press
“Chinese Mythmaking – Melody of China has fortunately only sought to present music of its native land in its most honest and unadorned form…this San Francisco-based group steadfastly maintains the sound and substance of its large Chinese classical and folk repertoire.”
-Rebecca Liao, SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE (11/5/10)
“..it provides a powerful, evocative aural environment for the work [with Lines Ballet] which draws heavily on traditional Chinese instrumentation but incorporates Western aleatory and tonal elements”
-Clifton Lemon, SAN FRANCISCO STATION (4/16/07)
“The music cross-pollination of cultures is one of the hall-marks of some of the freshest music being written today. So, perhaps it is fitting that Melody of China should make the biggest and freshest splash”
-Edward Ortiz, SACRAMENTO BEE (11/2/06)
“Melody of China performs the history, lore and myth of China in song. A truly innovative and dazzling cultural extravaganza! …Melody of China’s music breaks down cultural walls”
-SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (3/8/02)
Testimonials
“A few people commented that they had never realized that Chinese traditional instruments have such lyricism and beautiful tone”
-Marianne Locke, Director, Young Imaginations
Downloads/Media
Technical Riders:
Melody of China Stageplot 2022: Download (pdf)
Press Photos (High Resolution):
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