“A lot of our members are ethnically Chinese, and there are quite a few of them who have never been to China before, but have played instruments for many, many years,“ Tsui told Xinhua in an interview. “We hope to give them a chance to get to know about their roots in a different way.“

　　“Music is a way to connect with our ancestors, our families and our culture,“ said Brian Chow, a Chinese American who plays the erhu.

　　Having joined the orchestra more than 10 years ago, Chow has grown from a diligent student into a professional music teacher eager to pass traditional Chinese culture on to younger generations.

　　Over almost 30 years, the Great Wall Youth Orchestra has nurtured about 18,000 students in the United States through its weekend music classes and teaching programs in local schools. Currently, there are approximately 300 student members regularly learning and practicing traditional Chinese instruments.

　　According to Chow, in February, a U.S. school he is working with will introduce new traditional Chinese instrument courses to students in grades four and five in collaboration with the orchestra.

　　“It is expensive to study music in the United States. My mother wanted to create opportunities for children from less affluent families to learn music,“ said Victor Stanson Siu, who now heads and conducts the orchestra. His mother established the foundation and the orchestra.

　　Siu noted that he enjoys his visits every time he comes to China, and seeing how Chinese people approach traditional music in new ways. “It's wonderful to learn how modern Chinese music is and how cool it is for young people to play. I hope my students can feel the music also belongs to them. It's not something ancient that only their grandparents listen to,“ he said.