A Remarkable Cultural Experience with Ms Wu Man at Dulwich College Beijing

On 23 September, Dulwich College Beijing had the honour of welcoming world-renowned pipa virtuoso and cultural ambassador, Ms Wu Man, to our campus for a series of inspiring events as part of our Worldwise Academy programme. Ms Wu Man, celebrated for her cross-cultural and cross-genre musical exchanges, brought her vast expertise and passion to engage with our students and our community. Recently awarded the 2023 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), Ms Wu Man continues to make an indelible mark in the global music scene.   

Throughout her illustrious career as a music ambassador, educator, and composer, Ms. Wu Man has been celebrated for her contributions to music. She was also prominently featured in the 2015 Emmy Award-winning documentary The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble and was also on the film’s companion recording, Sing Me Home, which won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.

Ms Wu Man‘s visit began with an intimate session with over 30 Senior School music students from Years 10 to 13 entitled Bridging Cultures: The Inclusive Sound of Pipa: A Fireside Chat with Ms Wu Man on Her Artistic Journey to Bring People Together. Our student host, Evan Y, opened the floor by introducing Ms Wu Man and setting the stage for a rich and engaging dialogue. Ms Wu Man shared her personal journey, recounting how she began practising the pipa from a young age and the perseverance required to overcome the challenges she faced in mastering her craft. Through her story, she highlighted the importance of resilience, passion, and maintaining a strong sense of purpose in one’s artistic journey. The session concluded with a lively Q&A segment, where students asked thoughtful questions about her musical career and inspiration for the art form.

Following the Senior School students' session, Ms Wu Man met with the entire Year 6 cohort for another engaging conversation. After a captivating welcome courtesy of Evan Y’s Guqin performance, Ms Wu Man was introduced by Anthony Coles, our Head of College, who highlighted Ms Wu Man’s contributions and impact that extend beyond melodic craftsmanship. “Music is a universal language that brings people and cultures together, and ... Ms Wu Man’s musical language is an inspiration to all.” Passionate conversations flowed as Ms Wu Man shared her insights and responded to the eager questions from Year 6 students, creating a dynamic atmosphere filled with curiosity and excitement.

Ms Wu Man’s dedication to fostering human connection through music exemplifies how individuals can use musical diversity to promote global inclusion—an essential value of being Worldwise at DCB. Her presentation and live performances were a powerful reminder of the impact of artistic expression on building understanding, harmony, and a shared sense of humanity.