Building bridges

She began learning to play at the age of 9 as her parents sought to cultivate her focus and dedication. Zheng practiced one to two hours a day throughout her childhood. During her time at Xi'an Jiaotong University, she was part of the school's Chinese orchestra, where she honed her musical skills and collaborative abilities.

"The erhu has become an integral part of my life, akin to a close friend," Zheng says.

Her decision to take her talent to the streets was sparked by daily encounters with street performers in Milan, especially after she watched a video of a violinist's street performance that caused many people to dance, creating a great atmosphere.

"I was so touched, and found that music has a great power to bring people together," she says.

Zheng then decided to share the beauty of the erhu with the world, hoping to spark curiosity and appreciation for this traditional Chinese instrument.

She applied for a pitch near a canal in Milan to perform.

Zheng prepares for every performance. She carefully selects a diverse repertoire that combines traditional Chinese folk music with popular Italian classics, such as Jasmine, Horse Racing and a reworked version of Bella Ciao tailored for the erhu.

"I made some simple adaptations to make Bella Ciao more suitable for the erhu," says Zheng.