NYU Steinhardt and China's CCOM Strengthen Sino-U.S. Arts Ties Through Concert

The event featured a performance exchange and high-level dialogue on music education cooperation between the two institutions.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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On February 25, 2026, the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development hosted a delegation from China's Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM), led by President Yu Hongmei. The event included a performance exchange and high-level discussion on advancing international collaboration in arts and education between the two institutions.

Why it matters

The event reflects NYU's broader global engagement strategy and commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding through academic partnerships. It also highlights the shared goals of leading music education institutions in China and the U.S. to cultivate globally-minded artists and advance cultural dialogue.

The details

The program featured performances by the NYU Percussion Ensemble and the CCOM Chinese Orchestra, showcasing the artistic depth of China's traditional music and its contemporary vitality. Leaders and faculty from both institutions explored opportunities for expanded cooperation, including faculty exchange, student mobility, joint performances, academic forums, and curricular collaboration.

  • The event took place on February 25, 2026.

The players

Jack H. Knott

Dean of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

Eliot Borenstein

Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost for Global Programs at NYU.

Yu Hongmei

President of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in China, a distinguished erhu virtuoso and doctoral supervisor.

Jonathan Haas

Professor at NYU who co-hosted the program.

Shiqi Zhong

NYU doctoral candidate who co-hosted the program.

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What they’re saying

“Music is not merely an adornment to human life, but a central force in cultural expression, collective memory, and civilizational dialogue.”

— Jack H. Knott, Dean of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

“International academic collaboration is fundamental to NYU's mission. Institutions of higher music education in China and the United States share strong commitments to rigorous professional training, creative exploration, and the cultivation of future leaders in the arts.”

— Eliot Borenstein, Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost for Global Programs at NYU

“Music is a shared language of humanity, and through mutual respect and openness, institutions in both countries can work together to cultivate globally minded artists with cultural responsibility.”

— Yu Hongmei, President of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM)

What’s next

The leaders and faculty from NYU Steinhardt and CCOM expressed their intention to use this event as a starting point for continued partnership on the global stage, contributing to cultural dialogue and educational cooperation between China and the United States.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates the shared commitment of leading music education institutions in China and the U.S. to fostering cross-cultural understanding and advancing international collaboration in the arts. It highlights the power of music to transcend language and cultural boundaries, and the potential for sustained partnerships to cultivate globally-minded artists and deepen cultural dialogue.