Xiao Dong Wei is an internationally recognized erhu master whose journey into music began in China at the tender age of 5. Her work has taken her across the globe and landed her in the Detroit area. 

She’s been building a career blending traditional Chinese music with contemporary styles like jazz, rock, and orchestral performance, playing over 20 instruments. But her work goes beyond music. She uses the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments to bridge cultures, expanding what’s considered classical symphonic music. 

On April 24, 2026, the Michigan Philharmonic presents “Sounds of the Pacific Rim,”. It invites audiences to explore the sounds of the Oscar-winning score for Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Xiao will also premiere her own piece "Hometown Reflections." Xiao and Charles Ezra Ferrell joined The Metro to talk more about her music and global connections in Detroit.