About Me

A Musical Journey Rooted in Tradition

Luo Ousiyu (Julia) began studying the zheng (Chinese 21-string zither) at the age of five, laying a strong foundation for what would become a lifelong dedication to traditional Chinese music. She later broke new ground by becoming the first student to major in zheng within the Bachelor of Music (Historical Performance) program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (SCM).

Guided by Dr. Lu Liu, Senior Lecturer in Chinese Music Performance and Ethnomusicology at SCM, and Lei Dianyun, renowned zheng performer and Deputy Director of the Chinese Orchestra of the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, Julia refined her artistry and deepened her understanding of the instrument’s cultural significance.

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Expanding Horizons: Julia’s Cross-Cultural Journey with the Japanese Koto

Following her graduation, Julia expanded her musical journey by learning the Japanese koto under Master Satsuki Odamura. This opened up a deeper appreciation for cross-cultural expression through traditional string instruments. After two years of study with Master Satsuki, Julia was honoured to be recommended by her teacher to perform koto on various prestigious stages. In September 2024, she was invited to give a solo koto recital at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) as part of the Hiroshi Sugimoto Exhibition. She also had the privilege of performing as a member of the Satsuki Odamura Koto Ensemble in concert, presenting works from the CD Pearl of May composed by Sandy Evans and Ian Cleworth, as well as a new solo bass koto piece by Mark Isaacs.

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Transcultural Strings: Julia’s First Guzheng Project

Following her graduation, Julia presented her first curated concert, Transcultural Strings – Journeys Through Contemporary Melodies, which was successfully held. This special performance featured collaborations with skilled musicians from the Fuzheng Quintet, blending the captivating sounds of flute, percussion, koto, and piano. The concert offered a unique fusion of the guzheng’s traditional beauty with the contemporary expressions of Western instruments.

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Julia Represents Sydney Conservatorium at NSW Parliament House

In August 2024, Julia was selected to represent the Sydney Conservatorium at NSW Parliament House, performing works from the NSW Parliament Bicentenary Music Composition Project for the Australian Prime Minister and state officials. Her performance of In G by Zhou Yuqi, a contemporary work for guzheng and strings, showcased the instrument’s versatility and expressive range.

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Julia’s Second Solo Guzheng Concert with Koto Master Satsuki Odamura

In November 2024, Julia curated her second solo guzheng concert in collaboration with her koto teacher, Satsuki Odamura, exploring the musical dialogue between guzheng and koto. The first half featured martial arts-inspired works performed with guest artists from the Sydney Conservatorium. The second half saw Satsuki’s koto ensemble joined by Julia, presenting contemporary koto and bass koto works in a rare cross-cultural performance.

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Channel 9 Today Show Lunar New Year Guzheng Performance

In January 2025, Julia’s guzheng ensemble was invited by Willoughby City Council to perform on Channel 9’s Today Show as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations — a national platform that introduced the guzheng to broader Australian audiences.

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Guzheng Education in Schools and SCM CME

She currently serves as the guzheng tutor for the Chinese Music Ensemble elective course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and also teaches in private school in Sydney, where she has established guzheng ensembles for students in high school.

Embarking on a Musical Journey

– In her recent 4th-year special project studies concluded in 2022, Julia joined the Fuzheng Quintet as a zheng player, immersing herself in cross-cultural collaborations with musicians of diverse backgrounds. Together with her team, she embarked on a musical journey, skillfully blending the rich tones of the zheng with the contemporary timbres of flute and piano.

– A noteworthy moment in Julia’s academic journey was her invitation to perform as a zheng player with the “New Music Ensemble” at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2021. For the repertoire’s demands, she skillfully played both zhengs simultaneously and collaborated on seven contemporary pieces with the symphony orchestra.

Performance

Julia’s talents have graced high-profile events, including a performance for the Governor of Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin and appearances at prestigious venues such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), China Central Television (CCTV), Special Broadcasting Service China (SBS), Sydney Opera House and Sydney City Town Hall. Her exceptional contributions earned her the Best Impact Award during the Sydney International Music Star Contest.

Cultivating Musical Excellence

Beyond her performances, Julia is the visionary founder and dedicated zheng teacher at the Guyun Guzheng Arts Academy, where she currently guides 100 zheng students. Since 2017, she has nurtured her students’ talents, establishing a zheng ensemble that has enchanted audiences at numerous Chinese cultural events.

Educational Contribution at SCM

Julia serves as a zheng tutor at the SCM Chinese Music Ensemble since 2019. The Sydney Conservatorium of Music Chinese Music Ensemble comprises undergraduate and master’s students. This initiative offers up to four semesters of small group tuition on a traditional Chinese instrument, providing experiential insights into China’s rich musical heritage. Today’s concert features performers at various levels, from beginners to those with 6 to 18 months of learning experience, including students who studied Chinese music in China.