About Mengdie Ji

Mengdie (Melody) Ji is a Guzheng performer whose work bridges traditional Chinese heritage with experimental contemporary practices. Her performances and compositions explore the emotional depth and philosophical richness of Chinese music, while redefining the instrument’s role in intercultural and interdisciplinary contexts.

Ji began her musical journey at the age of four. She was admitted to the High School of Beijing Contemporary Music Academy (BJCMA) with the highest entrance score in her major, earned her bachelor’s degree from the Central Conservatory of Music(CCOM), and pursued postgraduate studies at University College London (UCL).

Ji has received international recognition for her artistry, including

Gold Prize, Youth Professional Category, 2018 China International Youth Guzheng Invitational
Silver Award, Youth Professional Category, 4th "Qingyue Cup" Hong Kong International Guzheng Competition
Performance Award, Professional Group, 2nd "Dunhuang Cup" Guzheng Competition

Selected Works & Premieres

Butterfly’s Dream (2025)
Composed by Ray Lin
For Mixed ensenmble
Premiered at St Mary le Strand London
— An experimental reimagining of Zhuangzi’s dream, blending processed Guzheng textures with ambient soundscapes.

Chi Le Song (《敕勒歌》) (2024)
For guzheng and string quartet
Premiered at Royal Academy of Music’s Duke’s Hall, London
— A contemporary setting of an ancient Northern Chinese folk poem, exploring nomadic musical idioms and tonal landscapes.
Impressions of Four Seasons (2022)
Guzheng solo suite
Premiered at University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
— A four-movement work inspired by traditional Chinese seasonal aesthetics and timbral improvisation.
Qingyu An (《清语案》) (2021)
Guzheng and multimedia installation
Collaboration with visual artist [Name if available]
Premiered at [Venue Name], Beijing
— Site-specific performance integrating guzheng with field recordings, projection, and spoken word, reflecting on memory and place.