The City of Roswell welcomes the Magic Eastern Ensemble to the Roswell Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, January 25 for Journey Through Time: A Lunar New Year Celebration Concert Presented by Magic Eastern Ensemble. Journey Through Time will take audiences on a journey through ancient China with traditional Chinese instrumentation, artistic dance and vibrant inspired visuals. Tickets are on sale at www.roswell365.com.
Led by founder and musical director Yao Lu, the Ensemble will perform with traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng, the dizi and the zhongruan, while adding a modern flair with MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) from a DJ and modern instruments such as the guitar and violin. This cultural experience will take place days before the Lunar New Year on January 29, a holiday and tradition that is celebrated by over 2 billion people across the world. Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Roswell will be a special experience and a great way to start the new year.
When I founded the ensemble, my vision was to bring the rich traditions of Chinese instrumentation and music to life in a way that excites musicians with Chinese heritage and beyond,” said Yao Lu. “The Lunar New Year Concert is more than just a performance—it’s an invitation to experience the beauty of our integrated cultures firsthand. The show is designed to spark curiosity and foster mutual understanding to build stronger, more inclusive communities.”
Yao Lu
The Magic Eastern Ensemble, founded in 2018, is a music group that fuses the traditional sounds and rhythms of the East while synthesizing the modern melodies of the West. The Ensemble’s performances tell the story of Ancient China by transcribing the beauty, history, elegance, and culture of Dunhuang murals. The Magic Eastern Ensemble utilizes both music and visuals to bring these murals to life, creating an immersive experience for their audiences.
In order to better understand the cultural significance and importance of this concert, we sat down with musical director and founder of the Magic Eastern Ensemble, Yao Lu, to give us background of her artistry and her organization, the importance of standard Chinese instrumentation, the inspiration of Dunhuang murals, and all of the intricate details of this extravagant production.
From Shanghai to the World
Interviewer: Yao Lu, thank you for agreeing to do an interview with us. Please tell us about your musical background and how it shaped your vision for the Magic Eastern Ensemble.
Yao Lu: “My time at the Shanghai Theatre Academy was the cornerstone of my artistic journey. Under the guidance of two inspiring mentors, I learned not only the technical mastery of bamboo flute and guzheng, but also the profound connection between music and storytelling. This training taught me that art transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, making it a powerful tool for fostering connections. These experiences inspired me to create the Magic Eastern Ensemble. By blending tradition with contemporary creativity, we aim to create performances that are both culturally enriching and universally engaging.”
Interviewer: How is performing with traditional Chinese instruments in China different from performing in the United States?
Yao Lu: “Traditional instruments possess a universal appeal, and performing in the United States offers unique opportunities to tell fresh cultural stories and foster artistic exchanges. American audiences have a remarkable enthusiasm for innovation and multicultural performances.”
As the founder of the Magic Eastern Ensemble, Yao Lu used her training at Shanghai Theatre Academy and went on to perform in showcases across the country. After moving to the United States, she started her music studio, Magic Eastern Music Studio, to teach and train students in the Metro Atlanta area. These students, both adults and youth, make up the Magic Eastern Ensemble and work together to create a cultural experience like no other.
Interviewer: Why is sharing traditional Chinese music at venues like Roswell Cultural Arts Center so important?
Yao Lu: “Sharing traditional music at venues like the Roswell Cultural Arts Center is a powerful way to showcase the ability of music to serve as a storytelling medium. These [traditional] instruments carry a rich history, which evoke emotions and foster connections. The Roswell Cultural Arts Center’s unique history and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal platform for cultural exchange.”
Celebrating the Lunar New Year
The Journey Through Time Concert will be a special performance dedicated to the celebration of the Lunar New Year; a holiday celebrated by over 2 billion people across the globe. We spoke with Yao Lu about the cultural significance of this concert and how the program’s selection is reflective of the Lunar New Year.
Interviewer: What is the significance of the music chosen and how does it represent the 2025 Lunar New Year?
Yao Lu: “This concert’s repertoire is carefully curated to align with the cultural theme of the Lunar New Year, celebrating its festive atmosphere while blending tradition with contemporary creativity. The performance [will open] with A Thousand Years performed by Christina Perri, a hauntingly beautiful melody that captures universal themes of love, hope and transformation. Its inclusion resonates with 2025 being the Year of the Snake, symbolizing renewal and vitality.
Spring Festival Overture by composer Li Huanzhi, a cornerstone of the concert, is a vibrant celebration of [Lunar] New Year festivities. With its energetic melodies and universal themes of joy and hope, it encapsulates the essence of the season.
Dance of the Golden Snake by composer Nie Er brings a rhythmic vitality to the program, representing wisdom and renewal.
We [will also] feature traditional instruments performing the trending hit APT performed by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars, paired with DJ improvisation by DJ Ezzy B, a prominent figure in Atlanta’s music scene.
This blend of electronic music and traditional melodies inject [an] interactive energy into the concert, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience. Through this thoughtfully curated selection, the concert conveys themes of unity, celebration and optimism for the future while offering a fresh auditory experience that bridges tradition and modernity.”
Interviewer: Tell us about the Lunar New Year community dinner that is hosted before the concert.
Yao Lu: “During Lunar New Year, a community dinner is more than just a meal – it’s a cherished tradition that symbolizes togetherness and love. Known as the New Year’s Eve Dinner, this gathering brings families and loved ones together to share moments of joy and heartfelt blessings…
At our community dinner, each dish carries a special significance. Dumplings, shaped like ancient gold ingots, represent prosperity and good fortune. Rice cakes symbolize progress and growth, embodying hopes for a brighter and more successful year. Fish, with its symbolism of abundance, expresses wishes for surplus and fulfillment in the coming year. Other dishes, such as spring rolls, braised pork and fresh vegetables add to the richness of the table, creating a feast that is as visually delightful as it is flavorful.
The New Year’s Eve Dinner is a tradition that goes beyond the dishes served; it’s about creating moments of warmth, connection and love that resonate into the year ahead.”
Journey Through Time: A Fusion of Art and Modern Aesthetics
Journey Through Time is not just a clever title, but a description of the visual and musical aspects of this concert that truly make it a spectacular display. Through inspiration of ancient Chinese murals that tell stories of religion and culture, the Magic Eastern Ensemble is able to bring in another layer of depth and creativity to the concert.
Interviewer: Tell us about the Dunhuang Murals and how they inspired the concert’s visual themes.
Yao Lu: “The Dunhuang murals, [located in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China] treasures of ancient art, are renowned for their intricate craftsmanship and vivid storytelling. Covering themes from religion to daily life, these murals reflect the cultural exchanges and artistic achievements of their time, offering timeless inspiration for modern creators.”
Yao Lu: “For this performance, we collaborated with YZ Studio, a talented illustration team known for their ability to merge tradition with contemporary aesthetics. In this production, the Dunhuang-inspired visuals are brought to life through dynamic animation, symbolizing the ongoing flow of time and the enduring relevance of ancient artistry.”
Inspired by Dunhuang murals and the Ancient to modern Chinese history, Lu continues to tell us about the creative vision for the concert.
Yao Lu: “This performance incorporates innovative elements across its design to create a truly immersive experience. The concert is divided into two distinctive segments, with costume designs evolving to reflect each theme: the first half exudes the grandeur and elegance of historical artistry, while the second half transitions seamlessly into contemporary Eastern aesthetics.
Interviewer: Tell us about the costumes and hairstyles that have been chosen for this show.
Yao Lu: “The costumes and hairstyles reflect a seamless fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics, complementing the music and enhancing the visual narrative. The modern costumes blend traditional elements such as Mandarin collars, cheongsam-inspired tailoring and intricate embroidery-including Qin-style techniques- with modern, sleek designs, achieving a harmonious fusion of heritage and innovation.”
Yao Lu: “Notably, emerging designer Hu Yiang brings a unique vision to the stage, blending traditional craftmanship like Qin embroidery with innovative designs celebrated at major events. These costumes and hairstyles go beyond mere adornment, they enrich the performance’s theme of cultural and temporal transitions, leaving a lasting impression.
By merging history with modernity, they offer audiences a visually immersive journey through time.”
Experience the Magic Eastern Ensemble live at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center
Yao Lu’s interview painted a picture of a magical Journey Through Time, displaying visual and musical storytelling to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This concert will be filled with not only amazing Chinese instrumentation, but also feature a DJ, Western musicians and even traditional Chinese dancers!
See the list below for some of the special guests.
- Weiru Sheng, violin soloist, chamber musician of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
- Long Chen, classical guitarist and erhu player, instructor at W.E. Music Academy
- DJ Ezzy B, DJ for LeAnn Rimes and Brian McKnight, Founder/CEO of Sound Xplosion Entertainment
- Bonnie Dong, 15-year-old competition, modern and ethnic dancer at the Atlanta Professional Dance Academy
- Eileen Zhang, International Chinese and modern artistic dancer at Georgia Tech
- Serena, professional dancer, Founder of a dance studio and K-pop dance team
On Saturday, January 25, witness Roswell’s newest holiday tradition at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. This event is perfect for all ages and gives an opportunity to experience rich culture, engaging music and an extravagant visual and musical display.
Yao Lu: “Through innovative expressions, we hope to introduce the beauty of these instruments to a broader audience, ensuring that they retain their traditional value while thriving within modern, diverse aesthetics. Each performance is an opportunity to delve into the essence of musical artistry, allowing more people to experience resonance and connection through music.”
Tickets are now available to purchase at www.roswell365.com.
