"Xiao Yue Er Gao," a popular pipa tune from the Shanghai area, was written down toward the end of the 19th century, though the tune itself is probably older. Wu Man, one of the world’s premier pipa virtuosos, graduated from Beijing Central Conservatory and now lives near Boston, Massachusetts. Her worldwide performance career encompasses traditional Chinese music and a range of contemporary solo, ensemble, and orchestral pieces for the pipa. (During, Levin 2001)