Today we’d like to introduce you to Uko Adams.
Hi Uko, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From the moment Uko first placed her fingertips on the strings of a guzheng, it wasn’t just about learning an instrument—it was as if she had awakened a voice she was born to hear.
Her musical journey wasn’t accidental, nor a fleeting curiosity. Growing up immersed in an arts-focused music school, she spent her childhood surrounded by melody, rhythm, and creation, progressing all the way through university and graduate studies. This long, disciplined path laid a foundation as steady as a riverbed, sharpening both her technical skill and her deep, intuitive understanding of music
The guzheng—a centuries-old instrument with over 2,500 years of history, possibly nearing three millennia—was her constant companion. Its poetry, its subtlety, its breath, shaped the soundscape of her youth.
Yet outside the guzheng, another world was quietly igniting her imagination: the freedom of the guitar, the raw power of rock, the way a single chord could erupt with emotion. These sounds, so unlike the classical discipline of strings, grew in her heart just as vividly
Classical training taught her discipline, precision, and sensitivity.
Guitar and rock taught her courage, fire, and the beauty of breaking rules.
Far from being at odds, these worlds merged within her, shaping a unique artistic vision. The guzheng, traditionally refined and delicate, could also be bold, modern, and electrifying. By fusing the deep cultural roots of the instrument with her love of rock’s energy, she gradually forged a sound that is unmistakably her own: graceful yet fierce, classical yet contemporary, soft yet strikingly powerful.
When Uko brought her artistry to Texas, she carried this multi-layered sound with her. Audiences—many encountering the guzheng for the first time—heard cinematic landscapes, transparent emotional depth, and the electrifying energy of rock, all from a single ancient instrument.
Founding Uko Music Studio was a natural extension of her journey. She created a space where students could explore music beyond technique, where creativity, authenticity, and personal expression were nurtured. Many of her students learn not only to play but also to tell their stories through music.
As her reputation grew, Uko expanded into cross-genre collaborations—classical musicians, cellists, modern instrumentalists, and artists infused with rock and guitar sensibilities. When the deep resonance of a cello meets the shimmering strings of a guzheng, layered with rhythmic intensity inspired by rock, a new sonic landscape emerges: bold, cinematic, and undeniably Uko.
Her journey has not been without struggle. From navigating cross-cultural life and introducing a millennia-old instrument to Western audiences, to balancing the roles of performer, educator, and entrepreneur, every challenge demanded patience, resilience, and courage. Yet these struggles have deepened her artistry. Every audience member who says, “Your music made me feel alive,” every student who discovers their own voice, reaffirms her path.
Today, Uko stands as one of Texas’s most respected guzheng performers and educators. Her music honors centuries of tradition while embracing innovation, blending the instrument’s ancient soul with the fire and freedom of rock.
It is a voice entirely her own—bright, flowing, fearless.
And her journey continues. Every performance, every composition, every student she mentors makes the world of the guzheng not only more beautiful but more alive, daring, and limitless than ever before.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — and in many ways, that is exactly what shaped me.
My journey in music began in a very disciplined environment. I grew up in an arts-focused music school and continued all the way through university and graduate studies. On the surface, it may look like a straightforward path, but each stage demanded relentless training, intense competition, and the constant pressure to rise to a higher standard.
Yet the real challenges began when I stepped outside my home country and brought my art to the United States.
Challenge 1: Introducing a 2,500–3,000-year-old instrument to the Western world
The guzheng has existed for more than two and a half millennia — possibly close to three thousand years.
It is elegant, poetic, and profoundly expressive.
But in the West, it is still unfamiliar.
When I arrived in the U.S., most people had never seen a guzheng before.
They didn’t know its sound, its history, or its possibilities.
Promoting an ancient Eastern instrument in a Western cultural landscape requires persistence and courage. No one paved the way for me — I had to create opportunities, educate audiences, and build recognition entirely from the ground up.
Challenge 2: The instrument itself comes with limitations and risks
The guzheng uses a pentatonic system, has only 21 strings, and operates in a very different musical structure compared to Western instruments.
It is sensitive to humidity, temperature, and environment.
It is large, delicate, and time-consuming to tune.
Every performance is a quiet battle.
Before audiences hear a single note, I often spend hours adjusting the sound, fighting the humidity, or solving acoustic challenges unique to the instrument.
People see the grace on stage — they rarely see the struggles behind it.
Challenge 3: Starting over in a new country with no roadmap
When I moved to the U.S., I had to rebuild everything from zero:
A new audience
A new student base
A new professional network
A new cultural identity as a musician
There were moments of rejection and misunderstanding.
Moments when I wondered if I had chosen a path far too difficult, too lonely, or too unconventional.
But I never stopped moving forward.
Challenge 4: Being both an artist and an entrepreneur
As my career grew, I realized I wasn’t just a performer or educator —
I also had to become a manager, marketer, strategist, designer, and founder.
Balancing artistry with entrepreneurship is one of the biggest risks any creative must take.
Yet it was this challenge that eventually opened new doors.
Transformation: Every struggle became part of my strength
Those difficult years built the foundation for everything I have today.
I performed in the breathtaking Cave venue — a completely sold-out experience where the ancient sound of the guzheng echoed against stone walls in the most magical way.
I carried my music across borders, performing in:
the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Each audience reminded me that the guzheng’s voice belongs to the world.
And I became the exclusive U.S. distributor of high-end Dunhuang Guzheng, the world’s top guzheng brand —
a brand as iconic to guzheng performers as a seven-foot Steinway is to pianists.
This role is not just business; it is a commitment to preserving excellence and bringing the world’s finest instruments into the hands of musicians who deserve the best.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a guzheng performer, educator, and arranger, dedicated to reimagining the possibilities of this ancient instrument. With only twenty-one strings and a pentatonic scale, the guzheng presents unique challenges—but these very limitations have become the foundation of my creativity, pushing me to explore sound, emotion, and cultural dialogue in ways few have attempted.
I specialize in cross-genre and cross-cultural collaborations, blending the guzheng with cello, piano, guitar, and orchestras. My performances have taken me to extraordinary stages around the world—from a fully sold-out deep cave, where every note resonated in the natural acoustics, to major venues across the United States, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, the UK, and Italy. I frequently adapt classical, cinematic, and contemporary works for the guzheng, creating arrangements that were once thought impossible, giving audiences a new lens through which to experience this ancient instrument.
As an educator at Uko Music Studio, I teach students of all ages, cultivating not only technical mastery, but also musical interpretation, stage presence, and the discipline needed to navigate the instrument’s sensitivity to environment and acoustics. Many of my students have gone on to perform internationally and win prestigious competitions, which is among my greatest sources of pride.
What sets me apart is my dedication to pushing the guzheng beyond its traditional boundaries. Where others see limitations, I see possibility. I view the guzheng not just as a delicate or traditional instrument, but as a versatile voice capable of lyrical intimacy, dramatic power, and cinematic expansiveness. My work bridges cultures and generations, transforming the guzheng from a historical treasure into a modern, expressive force that captivates audiences worldwide.
Ultimately, my mission is simple:
to expand what the world believes the guzheng can do, and to create music that transcends boundaries, connects hearts, and tells stories that resonate across the globe.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that taking risks is essential for artistic growth and cultural innovation. The guzheng is a traditional Chinese instrument, and in the Western world, traditional music often receives limited attention. Choosing to dedicate my career to promoting the guzheng internationally, performing on global stages, and introducing it to audiences unfamiliar with its sound has always involved significant risk.
One major risk I took was performing a full-scale concert in a deep cave—a venue with extraordinary natural acoustics but completely unconventional for classical or traditional instruments. Selling out the performance and connecting with the audience proved that unconventional choices can create unforgettable experiences, but it required meticulous preparation, confidence in the instrument’s expressive power, and courage to embrace the unknown.
Another form of risk is expanding the guzheng market in the West. I serve as the exclusive global distributor of Dunhuang high-end guzhengs, a prestigious brand celebrated in China but still relatively unknown overseas. Dunhuang guzhengs are the classic choice for concert performances and professional artists—much like a Steinway 7-foot piano is the standard for pianists worldwide. Introducing this instrument to Western audiences, educating them, and building a global community around it required vision, persistence, and a willingness to face uncertainty.
For me, risk-taking is not recklessness—it is informed courage. It means finding opportunity where others see limitations, trusting your expertise, and embracing the unknown to create something meaningful. These risks have not only expanded the reach of the guzheng but have also allowed me to redefine what a traditional instrument can achieve on the modern, global stage.
Pricing:
- Dunhuang High-End Guzhengs – Premium instruments for professional performers, crafted for exceptional sound and durability; prices vary by model and customization.
- Private Guzheng Lessons (In-Person & Online) – Tailored instruction for students of all ages, focusing on technique, artistry, and performance skills; pricing varies by level and frequency.
- Performance Services – Solo or collaborative concerts, from intimate venues to large-scale events; pricing depends on program and location.
- Arrangement & Composition Services – Custom arrangements and original compositions for guzheng and ensembles, designed for artistic impact and technical excellence.
- Workshops & Masterclasses – Engaging group sessions for schools, organizations, or corporate events, combining education and hands-on experience; pricing varies by duration and group size.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.uko-Music.com
- Instagram: ukoadams
- Facebook: ukoAdams
- Youtube: @ukoadams9213
- Yelp: Uko Music Studio
- Other: WeChat:uko2223
Image Credits
All photos provided by Uko
