In Person

Calligraphy, Music & Mandarin Meetup – Your Monthly Cultural Escape (October)

October 17, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 PM EDT

Our beloved monthly program of Calligraphy, Music & Mandarin Meetup is back!

Step into a beautiful evening where art, music, and language come alive. Each month, experience captivating live performances featuring some of China’s most iconic instruments — from the graceful guqin (古琴) to the ethereal, harp-like konghou (箜篌) and the lush, harmonizing sheng (笙)— performed by talented musicians who bring these ancient sounds to life.

As music fills the room, slow down and immerse yourself in the serene practice of Chinese calligraphy, guided by a master calligrapher. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, you’ll receive hands-on guidance — all materials (ink, paper, brushes) are provided.

Want to practice Mandarin? Join our Mandarin Language Table during intermission for a fun, relaxed conversation with support from our language instructors.

Enjoy tea and light refreshments, meet fellow culture lovers, and experience a unique night of art and connection in the heart of NYC!

No experience is needed — just bring your curiosity! We can’t wait to share this inspiring evening with you.

This program is in partnership with the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Musicians & Calligrapher

Danni Chen 陈丹妮

Guqin 古琴

Danni Chen, member of the Chinese Guqin Society, graduated from Kedron State High School in Brisbane, Australia, and is currently a senior majoring in Guqin and Photography at Bard College Conservatory of Music. She studies guqin with Professor Zhao Jiazhen, President of the Chinese Qin Association and PhD supervisor at China’s Central Conservatory of Music. 

In 2022, she was awarded two gold medals in the 3rd “Hong Qin Cup” Guqin Competition. 

In 2024, she won the bronze medal in the guqin professional youth group A of the 2nd “Guoyun Cup” Chinese instruments competition.

Qizhi An 安琪之

Guqin 古琴

Qizhi An (Coco), member of the Chinese Guqin Society, currently studies at the Bard College Conservatory of Music in the US-China Music Institute, is doing a double-major BA/BM in guqin performance and psychology. She played guqin for seven years. She studied with Dai Xiaolian, a guqin professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, for one year in high school. Through Bard’s cooperation with the Central Conservatory of Music, she studied guqin under the guidance of Professor Zhao Jiazhen of the Central Conservatory of Music. At the Bard Conservatory, Qizhi An has been especially motivated to improve thanks to the supportive faculty, strong community of students, and intense academic programs. She hold a midway concert on her third year of college. She also held a Bard US-China Music Institute Summer Trip Concert in Beijing Central Conservatory of Music on June 23rd, 2023. 

Sheng Xinde

Calligrapher

Sheng Xinde is an award-winning calligrapher with over forty years of dedicated practice, known for his mastery of brush and ink and his passion for teaching. He has won top honors including First Prize in the Calligraphy Competition of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the prestigious Korean Art Grand Award. He curated calligraphy exhibitions such as the first International Exhibition of Chinese Calligraphy in New York in 2014 and the second International Exhibition of Chinese Calligraphy in New York in 2017. As President of the North American Chinese Calligraphers Association, Sheng is committed to sharing the beauty of this ancient art, having taught at Huaxia Chinese School, Flushing Public Library, Stony Brook Chinese School, and Manhasset Public Library.

This program is made possible through the support of the Chinese International Education Foundation, and generous supporters of China Institute in America.

China Institute in America’s cultural programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.