Xiuwen Zheng, also known as Sammy, has been playing the guzheng (古筝) since she was eight years old and is currently Level 9 certified in guzheng by the China Conservatory of Music. Having moved to the U.S. shortly after being born in China, she found in the guzheng a way to connect with her cultural roots. The sound of the instrument, wearing traditional clothing during performances, and meeting others who share her heritage at performance venues have kept her connected to her roots while allowing her to share her culture with new audiences. In her free time, Sammy enjoys exploring ways to bring her two cultures together through music, creating her own guzheng arrangements of English pop songs. She also brings together guzheng, piano, violin, and drums in collaborative performances at various events throughout her city. To her, culture can be honored, reimagined, and made into something uniquely our own.
Watch Xiuwen Zheng perform The Red Sun above the Jingang Mountain by Zhao Manqin on the guzheng for the 2026 Instrumental Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.