Youth Guzheng Ensemble
Where Tradition Meets the 21st Century
Here at Celestial21, we aim to bring the beauty of the Guzheng to audiences young and old, honoring Chinese musical heritage and inspiring a new generation of performers.
Meet the Musicians →Our Mission
Music That Bridges Worlds
We believe that ancient music has a place in every modern heart. Through performance, education, and community, Celestial21 keeps the art of the Guzheng alive and thriving.
Preserve Tradition
We honor over 2,500 years of Guzheng music, performing classical compositions that have been passed down through generations of Chinese musicians.
Inspire Youth
As young performers ourselves, we show other children that traditional arts are exciting, rewarding, and deeply meaningful in the modern world.
Share Culture
Music has no borders. We invite audiences to discover the beauty of Chinese culture through our performances.
Build Community
We perform at schools, cultural festivals, and community events, forming connections between people through the universal language of music.
The Instrument
The Guzheng
The Guzheng is a plucked string instrument with a history stretching back over 2,500 years. With 21 strings stretched across a wooden body, it can produce versatile and expressive sounds.
We hope the cultural impact we leave shines as brightly as a meteor and strikes with the same force—hence our name, “Celestial21.”
The Performers
Meet Our Team
We are dedicated to spreading Chinese music and culture wherever we go.
Emma Shi
Emma Shi began studying the Guzheng at the age of 8 and has since developed into a skilled and versatile musician, also proficient in piano and flute...
Julia Shi
Julia Shi began studying the Guzheng at the age of 5. She is a talented musician, proficient in Guzheng, Erhu, Piano, and Clarinet, and has...
Lois Tolstopyatenko
Lois (Lolo) Tolstoypatenko is a performing artist who began studying the Chinese guzheng at the age of five. She performs both traditional Asian repertoire...
Come Hear Us Perform
We'd love to bring Celestial 21 to your event, school, or community gathering. Reach out to learn more.
Get in Touch