In the vibrant cultural environment of New York City, Zihan Gao (also named as Han) has emerged as a vital force in bridging Chinese traditions with global audiences. As a cross-cultural producer, artist, and cultural communicator, she has dedicated her artistic career to introducing and sustaining East Asian narratives on American stages. From theater production to traditional Chinese music promotion, Han plays a multifaceted role in making Chinese culture both visible and accessible in the Western world.

Leading the Global Rise of Chinese Traditional Music with Eric Xiaoran Liu

Han plays a pivotal role in shaping the international journey of Chinese bamboo flute artist Xiaoran, one of the most innovative voices in the fied of traditional Chinese music today. As Xiaoran’s Cultural Communication Coordinator, Han is not only responsible for managing logistics and communications, but also serves as the architect behind Xiaoran’s public image, partnerships, and outreach strategy. Her work connects centuries-old Chinese musical traditions with contemporary audences in the United States and beyond.

Xiaoran (Left, Male) works with Zihan Gao (Right, Female) on multiple projects.

Since 2024, Han has designed and coordinated a wide range of high-impact performance engagements for Xiaoran, including his solo bamboo flute concerts, collaborative showcases with the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, and intercultural appearances across both mainstream and academic venues. These events have brought traditional instruments like the bamboo flute (dizi) and Xiao into prestigious spaces such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and introduced Chinese music to audiences ranging from world music connoisseurs to curious newcomers.

But Han’s impact is not limited to event production. She is also behind Xiaoran’s digital strategy, managing video and photo documentation, editing performance reels, and writing bilingual captions and artist statements that make Chinese musical traditions intelligible and appealing to non-Chinese audiences. Her media works have significantly expanded Xiaoran’s visibility on platforms like Instagram and RedNote, cultivating a growing international fanbase.

Moreover, Han’s outreach efforts extend into celebrity and mainstream entertainment networks. She has facilitated communication with prominent tour teams—such as those behind Charlie Zhou, Rainie Yang and Jeff Chang’s North American concerts—seeking opportunities for cross-genre collaboration and strategic guest appearances. These interactions are part of Han’s broader vision: to embed Chinese classical instruments in contemporary global music culture, not merely as curiosities, but as powerful tools of emotional and artistic expression.

From left to right: Shitong Gao (Pianist), Xiaoran (Bamboo Flute Artist), and Zihan Gao

Whether speaking with nonprofit presenters, cultural attaches, or pop concert producers, Han functions as a bilingual and bicultural bridge—translating not only language but aesthetic values, artistic priorities, and cultural nuance. In doing so, she has helped reframe Xiaoran’s career not just as a solo artist’s journey, but as a cultural movement that revitalizes Chinese musical heritage for a global stage.

Her work continues in 2025 with an ambitious slate of projects: community-based temple concerts, digital collaborations with Asian-American content creators, and a full-length studio album themed around Buddhist music and meditative bamboo flute repertoire, etc… With every step, Han affirms the relevance of Chinese music in the modern world and amplifies its voice through thoughtful, strategic cultural communication.

Elevating East Asian Stories Through Theater and Visual Art

Beyond the music world, Zihan Gao is a cultural practitioner with deep roots in theater production and visual storytelling. She is one of the board members of Shall See Theater, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating the voices of emerging East Asian artists in New York’s performing arts scene. With a mission to build a sustainable pipeline between early-career creators and professional stages, Shall See Theater develops original bilingual plays, hosts script development labs, and facilitates artist residencies that spotlight Chinese aesthetics.

With her extensive stage experience and cultural literacy, Han has produced, marketed, and creatively shaped performances that merge traditional storytelling with contemporary forms. Trained in Chinese ink painting and calligraphy, she brings a refined visual sensibility to theatrical productions and art fairs alike, often creating Chinese-style artworks as part of integrated marketing strategies. She also played a key role in connecting the Hangzhou Shadow Puppetry Art Group with New York-based productions such as Anti-Gone?!, bringing Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage to Western audiences in new and dynamic formats. From calligraphy-inspired set design to movement direction rooted in classical Chinese aesthetics, Han’s contributions are grounded in a nuanced understanding of Chinese philosophy and visual tradition.

Zihan Gao (middle female) has abundant stage and art experiences on cultural-spreading proejcts.

As a Cultural Communication Coordinator, Han’s distinctive background makes her an irreplaceable force behind the scene: particularly in her ongoing collaboration with Xiaoran. Her combined expertise in traditional Chinese arts and intercultural strategies enhances every aspect of Xiaoran’s outreach and performance work. Together, they are dedicated to expanding the global reach of Chinese bamboo flute through performance, education, and cross-disciplinary creation, ensuring this ancient art form continues to inspire new audiences around the world. In the future, Han will continue to leverage her cultural and theatrical expertise to connect Xiaoran with a wider range of music and theater collaborators, opening up new possibilities for integrating Asian aesthetics into the broader American arts community.