As for her musical journey, Yang met Swiss percussionist Pierre Favre at the Beijing Jazz Festival in 1998, and they teamed up for concerts in Beijing and Shanghai in 2000. The duo released the album Moments, which was recorded live that year.

The previous year, she and pianist Arthur Mattli coproduced the album Village in the Floods－believed to be the first professional recording of piano and pipa－a spontaneous idea to raise money for China's flood victims.

In the cause of her musical experiments, Yang has labored to balance her instrument's sounds with Western and contemporary elements during her early years touring overseas with various artists.

"But after many experiments, I've been amazed by the harmony between Eastern and Western instruments," she says.

She can play several instruments, including the flute, guqin (a seven-string plucked instrument) and violin.

Yang believes the creation of new works in new styles can help traditional instruments like the pipa not only survive but even thrive in changing times.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

7:30 pm, Dec 17. Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, 9 Tianqiao South Street, Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-635-3355.

7:30 pm, Dec 24. Shanghai Bandu Cabin, First floor of Building 11, 50 Moganshan Road, Shanghai. 021-6276-8267.