MURFREESBORO, TN — A decade ago, a visionary scholar and world-renowned musician arrived in Middle Tennessee with a "big red door" and a mission to bridge the gap between East and West. This upcoming March, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) officially celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Center for Chinese Music and Culture (CCMC), a milestone that honors both a unique cultural repository and the tireless dedication of its founder, Dr. Mei Han... In December of last year, MTSU President Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and Provost Dr. Mark Byrnes recognized Dr. Han for her service, leadership and vision in opening the Center less than 12-months after being hired, praising her for "jumping in with both feet" to introduce the largest collection of Chinese musical history to the Southern United States. Dr. Han was brought aboard the University in 2025.

A Global Journey to Murfreesboro - Dr. Mei Han’s (pictured) path to MTSU was as international as the music she promotes. Born and raised in China, she became an internationally acclaimed concert artist on the zheng (Chinese long zither), studying under legendary masters. Her journey took her to Canada, where she earned doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of British Columbia, before eventually moving to the United States. In 2016, she inaugurated the CCMC at MTSU—the first center of its kind in North America.

Dr. Han is recognized around the world for blending classical Chinese repertoire with contemporary, jazz, and experimental styles of music. She is the founding Director of the Center for Chinese Music and Culture at Middle Tennessee State University, where she leads initiatives that promote Chinese music performance and scholarship. Dr. Han has performed at major international venues and festivals, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, both in Washington DC, and WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance). Her critically acclaimed album Outside the Wall highlights her innovative collaborations and boundary-crossing repertoire. Throughout her career, she has toured extensively across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America, frequently premiering new works by contemporary composers and expanding the global presence of the zheng in modern concert performance. Through performance, recording, and academic leadership, Dr. Han continues to redefine the possibilities of traditional Chinese instrumental music in the 21st century.

A Treasury of Sound - Housed in a 3,200-square-foot space at the Miller Education Center, the CCMC is more than a museum; it is a living classroom. The center boasts a gallery of over 100 musical instruments, a library, and archives. At the centerpiece of the collection is a set of ancient bronze bells (bianzhong), based on a 65-piece set found in the 433 BC tomb of the Marquis of Yi... These bells are a marvel of physics and mathematics; each bell is tuned chromatically and produces two separate pitches... Beyond the bells, visitors can discover instruments like the matou qin (horsehead fiddle), a Mongolian two-string spike fiddle recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Transforming Students into Global Citizens - The CCMC serves as a vital hub for cultural exchange. Dr. Han has led MTSU students on performance tours to China, providing many with their first opportunity to travel outside of Tennessee... Those journeys of travel took local students to foreign university campuses in China, which had life changing impacts on not only MTSU students, but also students in China... For students of Chinese heritage, the center provides a profound link to their ancestral roots, while for others, it offers a window into a world of complex, multi-line musical works and ancient ritual music.

You’re Invited: The 10th Anniversary Concert - The public is invited to witness this cultural legacy firsthand during the 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert.

• When: Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Hinton Music Hall, Wright Music Building, MTSU

• Featuring: World-leading wind performer Yazhi Guo, alongside Haiqiong Deng, Yuxin Mei, Jingyi Zhan, and Beitong Liu. The program will also feature the MTSU Jazz Faculty, the MTSU Chinese Music Ensemble (current students and alumni), and the Middle Tennessee Community Zheng Ensemble.

Whether you are a student, a K-12 educator, or a local resident, the "big red door" at 503 Bell Street remains open for tours and exploration. For more information, follow Facebook.com/CCMCMTSU or learn more about the Center for Chinese Music and Culture (CCMC) through the MTSU website.

You can also listen to our 8-minute Podcast that features a full interview with Dr. Mei Han above this article, or click here for a direct link to the podcast. 

The center is located at 503A Bell Street, Suite 1600 (Murfreesboro, TN 37132) at the Andrew Woodfin Miller, Sr. Education Center.