Ancient Future Guitar and Pipa Duet in Concert
* Sunday, April 14, 4:00 pm - 5:45 pm

The world fusion music group Ancient Future features master musicians from many traditions who work together in different ensemble configurations.

This improvisatory collaboration between Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang showcases the beautiful tone colors of the Chinese pipa and scalloped fretboard guitar in traditional and contemporary arrangements.

Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com, Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar).

He spent months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian to apply the note-bending techniques to the guitar.

A native of Wenzhou, China, Shenshen Zhang began playing the pipa at the age of nine. At thirteen, she was accepted into the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

As an award-​​winning concert soloist, she performed extensively throughout Asia and the U.S.

Her 2019 solo album, Serenity, features a collection of traditional pipa masterpieces.