Suzanne Teng has been described by the Los Angeles Times as a "brilliant flutist" who "plays music for the soul." Originally from Berkeley, California, she received her master's degree in music from the Boston University School for the Arts and, after traveling across the globe, decided to further her passion for world music by pursuing her Ph.D. in ethnomusicology at UCLA with her focus was on music and healing.
As a world renowned flutist, recording artist and educator, Suzanne has released multiple critically acclaimed albums with her husband and music partner Gilbert Levy and their ensemble, Mystic Journey, that have won numerous international awards, including the Independent Music Awards, International Acoustic Music Awards, Los Angeles Music Awards, Global Music Awards, Akademia Music Awards and the New Mexico Music Awards. Mystic Journey's music has been licensed for hundreds of film and videos and was featured on NBC's America's Got Talent. Recognized for the healing qualities of their music, the pharmaceutical company Genentech chose them to create a CD that was distributed to over 50,000 patients to aid in their recovery.
Suzanne plays an extensive array of flutes from around the world but considers the alto flute to be her primary voice. She is an endorsed artist for Yamaha, representing the low flutes on which she is recognized for her beautiful tone and expressive playing. Music Connection Magazine wrote that in "Teng's delightful flute performances…joy emanates from her soul when she plays."
She performs in concerts and festivals around the country, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama's World Festival of Sacred Music and at numerous major events with spiritual leaders and writers such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, and Amachi. Suzanne has also performed at events for Henry Kissinger and numerous Heads of State at the opening ceremonies for the World Cup, the Getty Family and the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards Ceremony.
Recognized in the recording industry for her skillful and creative playing, she can be heard on hundreds of recordings on Polygram, Warner Brothers, Windham Hill, BMG, Sony Records, Shanachi, Sounds True, Scottie Brothers and numerous independent labels. Suzanne's playing has been featured on commercial soundtracks for Kleenex, Pepsi, Dodge, Johnnie Walker; video game soundtracks for Myst and Prince of Persia; film and television soundtracks for Emmy-winning Tumble Leaf (PBS), Miss Spider, Babar and the Adventures of Badou, Boston Legal and Murder, She Wrote; numerous feature films, including 300; and for films and commercials in India, Germany, Korea and Mexico. She and Levy have also composed music for documentaries such as Raw for 30 and Beirut Rising.
She has appeared on national television, including live performances on several of CBS's Survivor finale shows, which were seen by over 70 million viewers.
Suzanne is also a renowned music educator who teaches at major universities, conservatories and colleges around the country; at music festivals, camps, schools and major music conventions; and served on the National Endowment for the Arts Music Education panel for three years.
