C.E.O
Zi Lan Liao is a distinguished musician and cultural advocate whose career seamlessly blends artistic excellence with community service. Born in Guangzhou, China, she began playing the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese harp, at the age of three. By nine, she was winning major competitions, including a prestigious prize at the National Youth Music Competition by age twelve.
At thirteen, Zi Lan moved to the UK, continuing her musical education at Chetham’s School of Music and later the Royal Academy of Music. She specialised in the Western concert harp while maintaining her mastery of the Guzheng and Chinese traditional dance. Her ability to bridge Eastern and Western musical traditions has defined her extraordinary career.
From 1991 to 1998, Zi Lan worked as a freelance performer, delivering solo recitals across Europe, the USA, and Australia. She collaborated with renowned artists such as Peter Gabriel, Nigel Kennedy, and Jah Wobble, and performed at major UK venues including the Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, and World Harp Festivals. During this period, she also toured with the WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) festival, performing around the globe and further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and skilled artist. In 1996, she was a soloist in the world premiere of ‘The River’ Guzheng Concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Her collaboration with Jah Wobble on ‘Chinese Dub’ won the Songline Best ‘Cross-Cultural Collaboration’ award in 2009. In 2010, she performed again with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in Ian Stephens’ composition ‘Oxbow’, both in Liverpool and at the Shanghai World Expo.
In 2011, Zi Lan took on the role of CEO of Pagoda Arts, guiding the organisation through challenging times, including austerity in 2011/2012 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the Pagoda Chinese Youth and Community Centre has continued to thrive, providing essential services to the community. During the pandemic, she supported the Chinese community against hate crimes and collaborated with the NHS to set up pop-up COVID-19 test and vaccine centre, offering critical information to overseas Chinese students and local residents.
Zi Lan became the music director of the Pagoda Chinese Youth Orchestra in 2013, infusing the ensemble with her extensive knowledge of Chinese music, Western classical training, and world music fusion skills. Her innovative approach has introduced the youth orchestra to diverse genres, including Reggae, Hip Hop, and Latin/South American music.
In 2016, Zi Lan led the orchestra in a performance for HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip during the International Festival for Business (IFB16) and opened the China Changing Festival at the Southbank Arts Centre in London. Her dedication to cultural exchange and community service has earned her and Pagoda Arts numerous accolades, including the International Chinese Role Model – Female of the Year (2023) and the Community Cohesion Impact Award (2022).
In addition to her musical and cultural contributions, Zi Lan has been a steadfast advocate for victims of scams. She has worked closely with the police and immigration officers to help these individuals resolve their immigration status issues resulting from scams, showcasing her commitment to social justice and community support.
As of 2023, Zi Lan continues to lead the Pagoda Arts Centre and the youth orchestra, celebrating their 40th anniversary while championing the survival and growth of both organisations. Her unwavering commitment to promoting cultural understanding, artistic excellence, and community well-being makes her a vital figure in both the Chinese and broader artistic communities.
Zi Lan Liao is also a certified translator. (Chinese – English)
