About

Liu Xi「柳溪」(Willow Stream) brings together Hong-Kong born Winnie Wong on guzheng and Irish-born Diana Rowan on harp.

Rooted in Chinese and Irish musical heritage and shaped by the Bay Area’s cultural diversity, we weave traditional melodies, original compositions, and improvisation into a dynamic musical conversation.

Diana’s doctoral research into world harp techniques for composers and master's degree in classical piano performance combine with Wong’s lifelong study of guzheng beginning with virtuoso Weishan Liu to give us wide latitude for exploration.

We love sharing our instruments’ vast colors and stories, and co-creating with our audiences, who we love involving in our performances!

Music

Our music started with Chinese and Irish influences, particularly the court or "art" aspects of these.

It quickly expanded to include our own compositions and improvisations based on western classical, and world art music, and folk traditions. For example, an ancient Irish chant is overlaid with traditional Chinese regional song Kang Ding ("Opening the Gates"), followed Ladino song La Rosa Enflorece prefaced by a Hindustani-influenced alap in Hijaz, followed by a composition created in the Balinese scale pelog ("Conjuring Rain").

Our music combines historical playing techniques with modern innovations, always keeping expressiveness in heart and mind.

Videos

Photos

Audio

Upcoming groupmuses

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  Living room

  Liu Xi / Willow Stream

  Saturday, Dec 5 2:00 PM PST

  • Neighborhood: Rockridge/Temescal
  • Instruments: Harp & Guzheng
  • Price: $5 to reserve, $25+ at event

  Spots available

Programs

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