>> Melody of Dragon, Inc., a Chinese music ensemble (non-for-profit organization) based in New York City, was founded in 1998, by four virtuoso musicians from the leading conservatories in China in order to introduce and promote Chinese musical repertory in the United States. The ultimate purpose of Melody of Dragon is to build a bridge of musical and cultural exchange between China and the United States.

Melody of Dragon maintains a full itinerary of concert performances and educational programs for schools and the general public. The members of Melody of Dragon are Chen Tao, master of the dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) and the ensemble's director; Chen Sisi , world-class soloist of the yangqin (hammered dulcimer); Zhang Bao-Li, master of the erhu (two-string fiddle); Liu li, renown performer of the guqin (ancient seven-string zither).

The performances of Melody of Dragon feature traditional, classical and folk music, as well as contemporary music. The ensemble's extensive repertory can be easily tailored to meet the needs of a great variety of occasions, including special events, ceremonies, parties, and other national or international festivities.

The instruments presented in concerts or workshops include the dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) and its derivatives, the xiao (Chinese vertical flute), the xun (Chinese ocarina), the bawu (silver and copper reed flute), the yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), the erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle) and its derivatives, the guqin (ancient seven-string zither), the pipa and ruan (Chinese lute).

Since February 1998, Melody of Dragon has performed and Lectured at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, China Institute in America, Japan Society in NY, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Nicholas Music Center in Rutgers University, Charleston University in South Carolina, Winona University in Minnesota, Columbia University, Wesleyan University, Downtown Music at Glance - music festival in Westchest NY, The University of Cambridge in England, The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC., and Boston Area. Also presenting workshops with Midori’s adventure concert series program in elementary schools in the Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Newark area.

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