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I'm Sany Yan

My name is Sany Yan, a sound artist, educator, and instrument inventor. I believe sound is a universal language that connects people beyond words and cultures. Through music, creativity, and innovation, I seek to create experiences that inspire imagination, inner peace, and human connection.

I invite you to explore my work and join me on this journey of sound, discovery, and expression.

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Musician

Educator

Instrument Design

Experience & Achievements

Sound Artist, Educator & Instrument Inventor

Dedicated to exploring the transformative power of sound through performance, education, and innovation. My work bridges artistic expression, cultural exchange, and personal development.

International Performances & Cultural Exchange

Presented performances, workshops, and educational programs across China and internationally, engaging audiences through music, creativity, and cross-cultural dialogue.

  • Selected as a Featured Young Artist of Beijing, China, participating in prominent international touring and collaborative art projects.

  • Sponsored for an Official Government Academic Exchange in Japan, engaging in deep dialogues on traditional and modern soundscapes and artistic fusion.

  • Represented Contemporary Chinese Artists in high-profile China-UK cultural and artistic exchange programs.

Musical Instrument Innovation (Brand Founder)

As the founder of the LinG Instrument brand, advocating the core philosophy of “Beautiful Sound, Virtuous Heart” (声美心善) since 2015. Beginning with early steel tongue drum creations, the brand has evolved to specialize in handpans and the original “Yanbusi” instrument. For each creation, a bespoke educational system was developed to redefine and reinterpret the musical language and performance dynamics of these instruments, expanding creative boundaries for diverse communities.

  • The Yanbusi (颜不思): An innovative musical instrument inspired by traditional Mongolian roots. It overcomes the physical limitations of traditional nomadic instruments—such as bulkiness and unrefined craftsmanship—by seamlessly integrating modern performance characteristics, blending ancient grassland heritage with avant-garde contemporary expression.

  • Handpan Gui- Notation (手碟圭形谱): A proprietary, standardized visual learning system and geometric notation that transforms complex handpan performance concepts into intuitive visual patterns, filling a critical gap in industry standards.

Education & Professional Training

Led numerous music education initiatives, masterclasses, and creative workshops. By combining international music pedagogy with cutting-edge instrument innovation, these programs empower students and professionals to elevate their artistic skills, cultivate deep self-expression, and enrich cross-cultural understanding.

Publications & Educational Resources

Author of professional educational materials and instructional content focused on musical performance, studio technology, and innovative learning approaches.

  • Professional Teaching Guide: “How to Build and Set Up a Music Studio” (A comprehensive guide covering hardware planning and acoustic setup).

  • Instructional Course: “Handpan Performance Tutorial” (A standardized method book based on the proprietary Gui-notation system).

Academic Background

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA Candidate)

  • MBA, Berkeley College, New York

  • Bachelor of Music, Central Conservatory of Music

  • Advanced Studies, Berklee College of Music

Mission

To connect people through the universal language of sound, inspiring creativity, well-being, and meaningful human connection across cultures.

Zhou Dynasty Ling Drum（handmade）
The first works
2012 – Present

The Zhou Dynasty Ling Drum not only revives the ancient structural rules and meticulous craftsmanship of the Zhou Dynasty’s ritual and music culture, but also perfectly integrates a unique patented acoustic design with the practical functionality of a traditional incense burner.

Happy Little Drum
For children’s works
2014 – Present

Adapted and recreated from the original Zhou Dynasty Ling Drum invented by sound artist Sany Yan, the Happy Little Drum is a brand-new instrument specially designed for children’s music enlightenment. It allows children to begin their musical journey through physical movement and creative performance, fostering a natural and engaging understanding of music from an early age.

LinG Handpan
Five generations
2014 – 2024 Present

Starting from the release of the first generation of 9-tone Lingpan in 2015, the 16 Lingpan is the first brand in China to standardize the handpan industry. At the same time, it released the world’s first complete set of standardized handpan notation and teaching methods. It was also the first in China to publish a handpan tutorial.

Yanbusi
Yan’s innovative works
2014 – 2026 Present

Yanbusi is a reinvention of the lost national music from the Yuan and Qing dynasties, perfected by Sany Yan over a decade. It overcomes the traditional nomadic instrument’s flaws of being bulky and unrefined. By integrating modern instrument features, it seamlessly performs diverse musical styles. Lightweight and easy to play, it delivers a vibrant Western Region sound that brings the spirit of the grasslands to life.