Hong Yun and her father. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A three-generation legacy of guqin artistry is gaining renewed vitality in Nantong, Jiangsu province.

At the recent 2026 Mei'an School Guqin Spring Concert, renowned guqin musician Hong Chen and his daughter Hong Yun captivated the audience with their performances, highlighting both tradition and innovation in Chinese classical music.

Hong Chen's musical journey was shaped by his father, Hong He, a respected inheritor of the Mei'an School. Benefiting from his parent's strict yet open-minded guidance, Hong Chen developed a strong foundation before studying with masters of different guqin styles.

Over the years, he has built his own artistic voice while also dedicating himself to education, training thousands of students and promoting cultural exchange. At the age of 50, he was officially recognized as a provincial-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.

His daughter, 24-year-old Hong Yun, represents a new generation of musicians. Trained through a formal conservatory system, she has pursued rigorous studies in performance and theory. Her refined and expressive style has earned her multiple international awards and opportunities to present the sounds of the guqin on global stages.

Despite their family ties, the two maintain an equal artistic relationship, often exchanging ideas and refining performances together. Beyond the stage, they actively promote guqin culture through concerts, publications, and digital platforms.

Their shared efforts demonstrate how an ancient musical tradition can thrive in modern times, bridging generations while reaching new audiences worldwide.