The Guqin is a Chinese ancient musical instrument, also called a seven-stringed zither. It has existed in Chinese culture for 3000 years, and was the favorite instrument of the literary class. Guqin culture is deeply influenced by Confucianism and Taoism. By Chinese geographical division, several styles of Guqin schools has been developed. The northern Chinese Guqin style is more expressive and the southern Chinese Guqin style is more contained and composed. Peiyou's Guqin style is following the southern Chinese Guqin style and mostly influenced by Master Wu Zhao-Ji (1908-1997) from Suzho, China.
Peiyou Chang was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She came to the United States in 1997 to study Fashion Merchandise Management at Fashion Institute of Technology and has been working in the fashion industry in New York City till now. She has been studying the Guqin since 2000, and was enlightened by Mr. Yuan Jung-Ping.
Most of the Guqin pieces that Peiyou plays are 300 to 500 years old. She started to compose her own qin piece in November 2008, and the first piece she composed is "The Great Nature is Waning," inspired by the Taoist master Zhuang Zi.
Peiyou has participated in numerous qin performances and activities in New York, Taiwan and China. She is giving Guqin private lessons during weekend in NYC and Rahway NJ.
Her Guqin music mp3 files can be purchased via iTunes or Amazon.
