Diana Rowan & Winnie Wong – A Fusion of Celtic and Chinese Traditions
Diana Rowan and Winnie Wong form a dynamic duo that merges the ethereal sounds of the Celtic harp and the timeless resonance of the Chinese guzheng. Drawing upon their rich cultural heritages, they create a musical experience that transcends borders and eras, blending Chinese and Celtic traditions with the vibrant, multicultural energy of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Diana Rowan
Born in Ireland and raised the daughter of an Irish diplomat, Diana Rowan has lived and performed on six continents, weaving global music, art, spirituality, and mythology into her music. Known for her captivating performances, she has graced stages from the World Harp Congress in Australia to Washington DC’s Smithsonian, and even Vietnam’s US Embassy. With a Ph.D. in Music Theory, specializing in world harp composition techniques, and an M.M. in Classical Piano Performance, Diana’s mastery extends across both traditional and contemporary styles. Her solo albums, Panta Rhei and The Bright Knowledge, are reflections of her global influences. She also leads the Bright Way Guild, an online creative academy, and is the author of The Bright Way: Five Steps to Freeing the Creative Within.

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Winnie Wong
Winnie Wong was born in Hong Kong and raised in San Francisco, where she began learning the guzheng at the age of four under the tutelage of virtuoso Weishan Liu. Her early passion for the instrument has led to a life devoted to promoting cultural diversity through music. Although traditionally trained her performances are constantly incorporating tradition into new arrangements and pushing past barriers while respecting the heritage behind the guzheng.  As the founder of the "China’s Spirit Music Ensemble," she has provided a platform for young guzheng musicians to develop their skills and share their art. Her performances are renowned for their emotional depth, connecting listeners to both ancient Chinese traditions and the modern world. In 2016, she was honored with the "Musician of the Heart" award for her dedication to bridging cultures through music.

 

The Duo’s Vision
Together, Diana Rowan and Winnie Wong offer a profound musical dialogue that reflects the cultural melting pot of the Bay Area. Their performances weave the intricate sounds of the Celtic harp and the guzheng into original compositions that explore the intersections of Chinese and Celtic traditions, while also drawing inspiration from a wide array of world music genres, including jazz and Ladino music. Audiences are transported to a world where East meets West, and ancient sounds are infused with the complexities of today’s global landscape. Through their collaboration, Diana and Winnie bring a fresh, boundary-defying sound that celebrates the diversity of human expression and the beauty of cultural fusion.