Haiqiong Deng, the Master Artist selected by the Florida Department of States for the 2012-2013 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program and recipient of 2013 Florida Individual Artist Fellowship, is an international renowned zheng (gu-zheng) soloist. She is also the recipient of the 2017 Florida Folk Heritage Award.

Haiqiong Deng was born in Lanzhou, China, where she began her studies in Chinese traditional music. She focused on the zheng, an ancient, 21-stringed instrument with a long and rich presence in Chinese culture. After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she traveled internationally as a soloist and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2003. Eventually, she settled in Florida where she serves as the Director of the Chinese Music Ensemble at Florida State University.

Since 2001, Ms. Deng has dedicated herself to teaching Chinese music to a diverse body of students. She uses music as a tool to reinforce knowledge and appreciation of cultural heritage. Among her latest projects is an educational series called Echoes of Nature, which combines three key aspects of Chinese culture: music, calligraphy and art. Through creative partnerships and collaborations with composers, master artists, museums and educational institutions, Ms. Deng actively promotes various forms of traditional Chinese culture, and explores the boundaries of musical expression.