Guo Zhaoshun (果兆顺), performer on pipa, zhongruan, and daruan, graduated with a concentration in pipa performance from the Tianjin Conservatory of Music in 1979 and was soon after appointed to the Tianjin Hebei Bangzi Theater. In 1991, he earned second prize in the National Musical Instrument Competition for Artists with a performance of Five Heroes of Langya Mountain; later that year, Mr. Guo transferred to the Tianjin Song and Dance Theater. In 2000, he was invited to the United States by the Bao'An Cultural and Art Center to participate in an exhibition at Carnegie Hall celebrating Chinese music and culture. During his more than 20 years in the United States, Mr. Guo has often participated in annual summer music festivals, including the Neighborhood Festival, the Asia Music Festival, and several performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the National Arts Theater.