Bard China Now Music Festival
As a part of the 2026 China Now Music Festival, Chasing Dreams, the Bard East/West Ensemble celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by performing pieces from their recent tour. Returning home from a tour in China that took them to 8 cities for 15 performances, the ensemble will showcase their cross-cultural sound through unique arrangements of works by Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzolla, and Jiang Ying, among others. The China Now Music Festival is co-presented by the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music, China.
About the Bard East/West Ensemble (巴德中西乐团)
Bard East/West Ensemble is a New York–based cross-cultural ensemble founded at the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music. Bringing together Chinese and Western instruments, musicians, and traditions, the ensemble is dedicated to innovative performance, artistic collaboration, and cultural exchange.
More about the Bard East/West Ensemble
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About the China Now Music Festival
Founded in 2018, the China Now Music Festival is co-presented by the US–China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Every year, the festival presents concerts and forums that build cultural bridges between China and the United States, featuring distinguished composers and performers. Each year’s festival explores a singular theme. Recent seasons include “Beethoven and China” in 2020, “Asian American Voices” in 2021, “East of West” in 2022, “The Bridge of Music” in 2023, “Composing the Future” in 2024, and “Music in Motion” in 2025.
Founded in 2018, the China Now Music Festival is co-presented by the US–China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Every year, the festival presents concerts and forums that build cultural bridges between China and the United States, featuring distinguished composers and performers. Each year’s festival explores a singular theme. Recent seasons include “Beethoven and China” in 2020, “Asian American Voices” in 2021, “East of West” in 2022, “The Bridge of Music” in 2023, “Composing the Future” in 2024, and “Music in Motion” in 2025.
Learn more at https://www.barduschinamusic.org/chasing-dreams
