Purple Bamboo Asian Music Ensemble and Tucson Sino Guzheng

The Purple Bamboo Asian Music Ensemble (https://www.facebook.com/uaasianmusicclub/) was launched by Dr. Janet Sturman, Paul Amiel, and Andrew Wilt in 1999. They saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between cultures and introduce the mesmerizing sounds of Asian music to university students and local communities. With their vision in mind, they launched the Asian Music Ensemble (http://www.summerthundermusic.com). They tirelessly worked to curate a diverse repertoire that showcased the richness of Asian music heritage. The ensemble consisted of students and community members from various backgrounds, all united by their shared love for music. Inspired by the spirit of Dr. Sturman, Paul, and Andrew, Dr. Jing Xia took over the responsibility of carrying on the ensemble.
Dr. Xia is a virtuoso in the art of playing the Chinese zither, she lived in Tucson for a decade. With a desire to share the beauty of Chinese zither music, she and Tina Liao founded the Tucson Sino Guzheng in 2017. Dr. Xia’s guidance and expertise inspired young musicians to immerse themselves in the tradition and master this ancient instrument. The ensembles’ community engagement work has evolved over time. They are active in performing at the cultural festivals, local events, community centers and schools.