Xuefei Yang

Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Following the Cultural Revolution she was the first guitarist in China to enter a music school and became the first internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world stage. “…feisty virtuosity, impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship” – New York Times

Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Hailed as a musical pioneer—her fascinating journey began after the Cultural Revolution, a period where Western musical instruments and music were banned. Xuefei was the first-ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, and became the first internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world stage. Her first public appearance was at the age of ten and received such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a concert guitar. Her debut in Madrid at the age of 14 was attended by the composer Joaquín Rodrigo and, when John Williams heard her play, he gave two of his own instruments to Beijing’s Central Conservatoire especially for her and other advanced students.
Xuefei was born in Beijing, and is a graduate of Beijing’s Central Conservatoire of Music, and went on to become the first Chinese musician to receive a full scholarship for postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received the Principal’s Prize on completion of her postgraduate study.