The Jackson Theatre will present From China to Appalachia on Saturday, June 6, at 7:00 pm, in partnership with the International Storytelling Center. This unexpected trio unites two-time GRAMMY® Award winners Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with acclaimed Chinese hammered dulcimer artist Chao Tian for a dynamic performance where the Silk Road meets Appalachia and beyond.

Blending global traditions with inventive musicianship, the trio performs on instruments including yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), gourd banjo, five-string banjo, ukulele, guitar, dumbek, cello-banjo, and mandolin. Their repertoire weaves together traditional Chinese and Appalachian music with contemporary and international works, alongside original compositions by all three artists.

Born out of friendship and a shared spirit of musical exploration, the collaboration grew from jam sessions into a touring production celebrating music as a bridge across cultures. Since 2023, the trio has toured extensively across the U.S., and their debut self-titled album has topped both folk radio and Billboard Bluegrass charts.

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer are an American Roots duo recognized for their masterful musicianship, rich harmonies, and a career spanning 45 years. Known as “social music conductors,” they have inspired artists including Kaki King and Rhiannon Giddens.
Chao Tian, a classically trained musician and former director at Beijing Language and Culture University, is a founding member of the university’s music department and was appointed as an officer of the International Cultural Exchange Program in 2019.
Together, the trio creates a vibrant musical experience rooted in connection, tradition, and discovery.

This event is part of the Jackson Theatre’s ongoing collaboration with the International Storytelling Center.