Meet the Ensemble

Dr Isabel Benito Gutiérrez

Artistic Director | Composer | Arranger

Composer and creative director with over 15 years of international experience. Her multidisciplinary work explores music, visual arts, and intercultural practices, particularly Chinese heritage. She holds a PhD in Composition from the Royal Northern College of Music (UK). Her work includes collaborations with ensembles such as the Arditti Quartet and Riot Ensemble, with performances at festivals and venues across Europe and Asia. She is currently a Lecturer at the University of Lancashire and Hebei University.

Professor Jian Li – 李健

Erhu

He is a musician, educator, and composer specialising in erhu and piano performance. A member and piano grading examiner of the Chinese Musicians’ Association, he is a former Vice Chairman of the Baoding Musicians Association and serves as Director and Professor of the Theory Teaching and Research Office at the School of Music and Dance, Baoding University. He has been invited to Japan on multiple occasions for concerts and cultural exchange activities.

Master Lianjun Yu – 于连军

Xun

He is a xun (ancient ocarina) performer, maker, and researcher with decades of experience in traditional Chinese music. Trained by senior masters, he specialises in ancient xun repertoire, performance practice, and craftsmanship. A dedicated advocate for the preservation of xun art, he is the representative inheritor of Taoxun Art (Hebei provincial intangible cultural heritage), Vice Chairman of the Baoding Folk Artists Association, and founder of the Elegant Music Orchestra of Lianchi Academy. In 2016, he was recognised as a “Good Person of Baoding.”

Eric Ton – 佟明岳

Cello | Doublebass | Composer | Arranger

He is a cellist and orchestral musician who served as Associate Principal Cello of the Ganzhou City Philharmonic Orchestra. An award-winning performer, he has received First Prize in the South China & Macau Region and First among Chinese participants at the Hong Kong International Music Festival, as well as Third Prize globally. He is also a recipient of the Hummingbird Music Award for Best Chamber Music Teaching.

Yiwen Liu – 刘艺文

Violin

She is a violinist and educator, and a member of the Suzuki Teaching Method at the Taiwan Talent Education Association. She has served as a judge and Outstanding Instructor at the Hong Kong International String Open Competition, where she also received First Prize in the Ensemble Group (Hebei Division, 2024). She is a member of the Judging Committee for the North China String Art Performance.

Zitong Niu – 牛梓同

Chinese and Western Percussion

He is a percussionist and educator holding leadership roles including Vice Chairman and Deputy Secretary-General of the Baoding Percussion Association and Baoding Modern Music Society, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Hebei Drummers Federation (IPA). A core member of the Pu Hai Percussion Ensemble, he trained at Minzu University of China and has performed at major conservatoires and concert halls across China and internationally. An award-winning musician, he has received multiple First Prizes in national competitions and is regularly invited as a professional judge for leading percussion events.

Xingyu Niu – 牛星宇

Piano

Member of the Baoding Keyboard Committee and the Baoding Musicians Association. An award-winning pianist, he has received prizes including the Gold Award at the Yamaha Electronic Keyboard Competition (North China Region), First Prize at the Santa International Piano Competition (Beijing Region), and Second Prize at the Vienna Art Festival. He has performed in solo recitals and worked as an artistic coach for the Vocal Music Golden Bell Award.

Xiaohan Chen – 陈笑晗

Erhu | Communication & Marketing Officer

She studied the erhu under Professor Tian Yu and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Industry Management and Promotion at Hebei University (in partnership with the University of Lancashire), following her undergraduate training in music. Her work focuses on ensemble performance and traditional repertoire. She was awarded Second Prize in the Instrumental Ensemble at the 6th Jiangsu Provincial College Student Arts Exhibition and Performance.