Composer / Conductor: Tan Dun
Tan Dun is renowned in the global music scene for his creative repertoire that crosses boundaries between classical music, multimedia performances, and Eastern and Western traditions. His representative works include the award-winning film score for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", the opera "Marco Polo" commissioned by the Edinburgh International Festival, "The Map" premiered by Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the "Buddha Passion" jointly commissioned by the Dresden Music Festival, LA Philharmonic, NY Philharmonic, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. As a conductor, he regularly guest conducts leading orchestras worldwide. He is currently Dean of the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York, Honorary Artistic Director of China National Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Ambassador of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. He is from Hunan Province, China.

Stage Director: Sherwood Hu
Described by The Hollywood Reporter as "one of the most exciting and dynamic directors to emerge from China". Studied stage direction under Joseph Papp at New York’s Public Theater. As a film director, his debut feature "Prince of Lan Ling" won numerous awards as an epic based on ancient Chinese mythology. Other notable works include "Prince of Himalaya" and "Shanghai King". Chief creative for Shanghai Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai. As a stage director, he has worked on new Peking opera "New Dragon Inn", the shadow play "Deer of Nine Colors" blending traditional arts and multimedia video, "Magic Puppets" fusing puppets, shadow play, actors, and digital footage, and more. Recently acclaimed for directing Tan Dun's opera "TEA", regarded as a pinnacle of contemporary opera. Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Seikyo (Japanese Monk): Zhengzhong Zhou, Baritone
Signed as a soloist with Deutsche Oper Berlin in 2012, and has performed at opera houses in China and abroad. Participated in recording Massenet's "Werther" released by Deutsche Grammophon. Featured in Royal Opera House DVDs for works including Turnage’s "Anna Nicole", Verdi’s "Rigoletto", Puccini’s "Tosca", and "Madama Butterfly". Currently Associate Professor of Vocal Opera at Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Lan (Chinese Princess): Lucy Fitz Gibbon, Soprano
Described by The Boston Globe as having "dazzling virtuosic singing", her repertoire spans from the Renaissance to the present. Made her Carnegie Hall debut with the American Symphony Orchestra and has performed with orchestras across the U.S. Participated in the Marlboro Music Festival since 2016. Joined "TEA" from the 2023 Shanghai performance. Currently teaches at Bard College Conservatory of Music, New York.

Prince: Motoki Ishii, Tenor
Chosen as the first Japanese cast member for the Shanghai performance of "TEA" in 2023, he has also appeared in the 2025 Fujian (Fuzhou) and Hong Kong productions, and his high acting ability has been highly praised. He is scheduled to perform in Budapest this April. Performed as Messenger at the Tokyo Spring Festival 2024 under the baton of Riccardo Muti in "Aida". He completed the 5th Advanced Course at Suntory Hall Opera Academy and currently serves as Assistant Faculty there.

Emperor: Apollo Wong, Bass
A conductor and bass-baritone singer from Hong Kong. He has appeared in numerous operas, including lead roles in "Don Pasquale" and "The Marriage of Figaro". For various sacred music works, he conducts while performing as the bass soloist. He actively engages in contemporary music, and will appear in the Hong Kong performance of "TEA" in 2025. He currently serves as chorus conductor for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus, as well as music director for The Learners Chorus and The Learners Orchestra, consisting of University of Hong Kong students.

Lu (Daughter of Tea Sage Luyu): Ying Deng, Mezzo-Soprano
Originally from Inner Mongolia. In July 2024, she participated in Vesselina Kasarova’s master class in Zurich, winning first place in the final assessment. In September of the same year, she starred as Carmen in the joint production of Shanghai Conservatory Opera House and Bordeaux Opera. Scheduled to perform in "TEA" at Fujian (Fuzhou) in March 2025. In September 2025, she won third place in the professional category of the 9th Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition (Asia preliminary).