BY James Brown
On June 1, 2025, the 8th US Legacy International Art Festival took place at the Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel Hotel. Young percussionist Yulong Huang captivated the audience with his solo piece “Flood,” which served as the first drum performance of the evening—its opening beat resonating at the start and earning immediate, enthusiastic applause, marking it as one of the most compelling segments of the night. Later, as a member of the Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra, he teamed up with renowned vocalists to perform the classic orchestral song “Yellow River,” breathing new energy into the traditional piece through his dynamic percussion. Moreover, he was awarded the festival’s highest honor—the Outstanding Legacy Gold Award—for his composition “Asskio Tweek,” a work that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements, once again affirming the power and depth of his artistic expression.
Yulong Huang
The festival, co-hosted by the US–China Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance & Exchange Association and American Merano Cultural Performing Arts, carried the theme of promoting traditional Chinese music culture. The festival, co-hosted by the US–China Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance & Exchange Association and American Merano Cultural Performing Arts, carried the theme of promoting traditional Chinese music culture. It drew a diverse range of participants and dignitaries, including Congresswoman Judy Chu and Deputy Consul General Zhiqiang Guo from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, underscoring the event’s cultural impact. Since its inception in 2018, the festival has championed the principle of "Angel City, Chinese Heritage" and the spirit of bridging traditions with future innovation. It has evolved into a global art exchange platform, attracting over 100 artistic groups and more than a million attendees, creating an ideal venue for young artists like Huang to showcase innovative insights.
As a newly appointed principal percussionist of the ZCO, Yulong demonstrated outstanding artistic sensibility and cross-cultural collaboration from the early rehearsal stages. Having officially joined the orchestra this past May, he brought remarkable focus and energy to his solo piece “Flood.” With disciplined rhythm and expressive dynamics, his performance propelled the work’s structure forward and perfectly echoed the festival’s theme: “Sudden Sounds, A Dream of a Thousand Years.” More than a musical showcase, the piece became a powerful conversation between tradition and modernity, East and West.
“Flood” was one of the concert’s most anticipated highlights and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience. As the final notes faded, many attendees rose in a standing ovation. In a post-show interview, George Li—founder of the ZCO and its principal double bassist—remarked, “Yulong’s percussion language has rare emotional depth. His playing gave the entire concert a structural lift. Though new to our ensemble, he’s already shown a level of professionalism and musical insight well beyond his years. He’s one of our most promising new talents.” In response to the praise, Yulong said with humility, “To share the voice of China in a culturally rich city like Los Angeles—alongside ZCO and the Legacy Art Festival—has always been my deepest musical aspiration.”
The festival showcased a rich array of Chinese cultural performances. Under conductor Helen Wang, the ZCO collaborated with Yue Opera master Sophy Wu, the Nightingale Ensemble of LA, and the IAEC Yali Dance Academy and performed the opening "Tea Picking Dance" that showcases the essence of tea culture. Pianists Jaycee Liu and Ashley Cui collaborated with the orchestra to present "Butterfly Lovers" and "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon," respectively, conveying deep emotions with beautiful melodies. These programs jointly show the charm and modern interpretation of traditional Chinese art.
At the awards ceremony, organizers highly praised Huang’s distinctive artistry and forward-thinking percussion style. The US–China Intangible Cultural Heritage Association and Merano Cultural Performing Arts officially announced a long-term strategic partnership with him. According to the agreement, Yulong will serve as music director for core festival segments and participate in annual brand development and thematic planning. Organizers expressed, “With Yulong’s global perspective, technical strength, and creativity, we aim to advance the modernization of Chinese percussion on the international stage—and provide him with a sustained artistic pathway.”
Beyond recognizing Yulong’s talent, this collaboration also reflects the full support he has received from the ZCO as a core creative member. Representatives from the orchestra shared, “Throughout the preparation and performances, we witnessed his outstanding contributions in fusing Eastern and Western music, delivering powerful stage presence, and working seamlessly within the team. He truly embodies our vision—to create music rooted in Chinese heritage, with an international reach.” Following the success and strong artistic alignment shown through this collaboration, the ZCO has announced plans to invite Yulong — a percussionist of the Chinese Traditional Music Orchestra and a core member of the Heritage Cup organizing team — to participate in several flagship projects for the upcoming years.
They will also establish a steady partnership with him for future performances and original works, further promoting traditional Chinese music on the international stage. Festival organizers echoed this sentiment, saying, “We see Yulong as a vital link—someone who can inspire more young musicians to explore the possibilities of traditional art in a modern world.”
The 8th US Legacy International Art Festival was not only a spectacular showcase of talent but also a key milestone in building deeper, more professional, and collaborative cultural ties between China and the United States. With his performances of “Flood” and “Asskio Tweek,” Yulong Huang has emerged as a model for intercultural musical dialogue. Backed by a long-term partnership with the festival, he is set to take on tours, workshops, and new compositions in the coming years, further using music to build lasting cultural bridges.
