"Folk music includes traditional Chinese operas, instrumental music, storytelling and dance, making it incredibly diverse. It forms the largest category of traditional Chinese music," says Yan, who graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1983 and served as the principal conductor of the China National Traditional Orchestra from 1983 to 1991.

"China's vast land has led to significant differences in regional musical styles, and for me, this diversity is an invaluable source of artistic inspiration."