LOS ANGELES, July 30, 2026 — Chinese American guzheng virtuoso and composer Bei Bei has won the New Age/Ambient Music Award at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA) for "Two Moons," the title track from her original album of the same name. She is the first Asian artist to receive the honor since the category was established, marking another milestone for Chinese artists and highlighting the growing recognition of traditional Chinese instruments within contemporary global music.

The Hollywood Independent Music Awards is a leading international awards program recognizing outstanding independent musicians and composers from around the world. Its categories span pop, jazz, classical, electronic music, film scores, New Age, and more. Eight works were nominated in this year's New Age/Ambient Music category, with "Two Moons," co-created by Bei Bei and producer Paul Elliott, ultimately receiving the top honor.

An internationally acclaimed guzheng performer and composer, Bei Bei has spent years exploring the creative possibilities of traditional Chinese instruments in contemporary music. By blending the guzheng and guqin with ambient music, electronic soundscapes, world influences, and cinematic sound design, she has developed a distinctive musical language that bridges Eastern traditions and modern composition.

For Bei Bei, the award carries special significance. Beyond recognizing the artistic achievement of "Two Moons," it demonstrates that traditional Chinese instruments can transcend conventional genre boundaries and find a place within today's contemporary music landscape.

"Receiving this award means a great deal to me because it reminds me that music has no boundaries," Bei Bei said. "For many years, the guzheng has often been viewed through the lens of World Music. Being recognized in the New Age/Ambient category affirms that traditional Chinese instruments can speak to contemporary audiences not because of where they come from, but because of the emotions they express."

Co-created and produced by Bei Bei and Paul Elliott, "Two Moons" centers on the guzheng and guqin while incorporating ambient textures, electronic soundscapes, and cinematic sound design. The album creates an immersive musical world where Eastern aesthetics meet contemporary sonic exploration. Since its release, the album has received international critical acclaim, earned two Silver Medals from the Global Music Awards, and received multiple nominations from the InterContinental Music Awards.

The recognition also reflects a broader shift in the global music landscape, where traditional instruments are increasingly embraced not only as cultural symbols, but as contemporary voices capable of innovation, artistic expression, and cross-cultural dialogue.

In addition to creating and producing her own original albums, Bei Bei has contributed to the recording of scores for major international film and television productions, including Disney's Mulan, DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda 4, and Season 2 of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender. She has also performed at concert halls, arts centers, contemporary art museums, libraries, and universities throughout the United States, fostering cultural exchange between contemporary Chinese music and the international arts community.

Based in Southern California, Bei Bei continues to compose, record, and perform internationally while actively supporting music education, cross-cultural collaboration, and community arts initiatives. Through the guzheng—an instrument with a history spanning more than 2,000 years—she seeks to introduce audiences around the world to the innovation, versatility, and contemporary relevance of traditional Chinese music.

 

About Bei Bei

Bei Bei is an internationally acclaimed Chinese American guzheng artist, composer, producer, and improviser whose work bridges traditional Chinese instruments with contemporary composition, ambient music, and cinematic sound design. Through original music and interdisciplinary collaborations, she continues to expand the artistic possibilities of the guzheng and guqin while bringing these ancient instruments into today's global musical conversation.

Her recording credits include Disney's Mulan, DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda 4, Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender (Season 2), League of Legends, and Civilization VII. She has performed at concert halls, museums, universities, libraries, and festivals throughout the United States and internationally.

Bei Bei's work has been featured in the American university textbook World Music: Traditions and Transformations. Her latest album, Two Moons, received two Silver Medals from the Global Music Awards and multiple nominations from the InterContinental Music Awards. In 2026, the album's title track won the New Age/Ambient Music Award at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards.

For more information, visit:

www.beibeizheng.com