Sparks in the High School Club Room
In the spring of 1999, in the club room of the Cozy Harmonica Club at National Taiwan Normal University Affiliated High School, four 11th-grade students—Wei-Chen Wei, Chu-Ti Chuang, Yu-Cheng Peng, and Chih-Hui Yang—sat together. They gave up a three-day graduation trip to chase their dreams in a quiet corner of the campus. The metronome ticked steadily, guiding their harmonica practice as their notes collided and intertwined in the air. For three intense days, they meticulously refined every phrase, striving for perfection. Their efforts paid off when they won the quartet category at the National Student Music Competition. The certificate rested calmly in their hands, but a burning passion for harmonica ensembles had been ignited in their hearts.
The following year, Chu-Ti and Chih-Hui entered university and invited their senior, I-Chen Lu, to form a trio, marking the start of a new chapter.
Chu-Ti Chuang, I-Chen Lu, Chih-Hui Yang (2002)
A Night That Changed Their Destiny
In the summer of 2001, I-chen Lu, Chu-Ti Chuang, and Chih-Hui Yang, under the name “Affiliated High School Trio,” competed in the first Harmonica Ensemble Competition hosted by the Republic of China Harmonica Association, clinching the trio championship. But the true magic happened that evening when The Adler Trio from Israel, hailed as “the world’s best harmonica trio,” performed their "Magic Harmonica" concert. In the concert hall, their notes sparked like lightning, their harmonies warmly embraced the audience, and their stage presence left everyone breathless.
For the trio, it was a revelation. “This is it,” Chu-Ti thought to himself. After the concert, they obtained a recording of the performance from the organizers. Back in their dorm, they watched it repeatedly every night, studying and absorbing the captivating interpretations and tones. They weren’t just inspired—The Adler Trio became their beacon, illuminating the boundless possibilities of harmonica ensemble music.
Teacher Hsiao-Ming Lee (second from the right, 2002)
The Birth of Judy’s
That autumn, Chu-Ti, nicknamed Judy, visited Yellowstone Music Shop to study under Hsiao-Ming Lee, a renowned chord harmonica player and chairman of the Republic of China Harmonica Association, forging a pivotal connection that would shape the ensemble’s future. Teacher Lee became their mentor, creating a website for them and arranging performances. From campus stages to MRT underpasses, from music restaurants to jewelry stores, the student ensemble performed without concern for payment, treating each gig as a chance to hone their craft. In 2002, when The Adler Trio returned to Taiwan, they transformed from starstruck fans in the audience to enthusiastic hosts, receiving encouragement from their idols up close.
That same year, the ensemble officially named itself “Judy’s.” The name wasn’t derived from Chu-Ti’s nickname but was a tribute to a fictional harmonica deity, “Judy,” as if their music was created for her. That summer, they teamed up with Teacher Lee to compete at the 4th Asia-Pacific Harmonica Festival in Japan, winning the quartet open category with Romanian Rhapsody. Upon returning, Teacher Lee joined the ensemble officially, and they recorded an album of the same name featuring their championship piece.
Glory and Challenges
In 2004, Judy’s was unstoppable. At the 5th Asia-Pacific Harmonica Festival in Hong Kong, they swept the duo, trio, and 4-6 person ensemble categories in the open division. Their performance of Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 scored an unprecedented 98 points, securing the quartet championship, with cheers from the Taiwanese delegation echoing through the award ceremony. Back home, Jang Li, a prodigious junior from the Affiliated High School Harmonica Club, joined the ensemble, solidifying their quintet formation and adding richer depth to their sound.
In 2005, Judy’s held their first public concert, Movement One of Judy's, and released the album Harmonica Impressions. However, challenges loomed. To minimize the impact of mandatory military service on the male members, Chu-Ti (in his senior year) and Jang Li(a freshman) took leaves of absence to enlist together (Chih-Hui was exempt). After their discharge in 2007, they returned with the concert "Long Time No See", and in the years that followed, they performed domestically and internationally, held harmonica camps, and collaborated with musicians worldwide, continuing to grow.
Asia-Pacific Harmonica Festival (2004)
First public concert "Movement One of Judy's" (2005)
Trossigen, Germany (2013)
A Mentor’s Departure and New Voices
In 2012, after a decade with the ensemble, Teacher Hsiao-Ming Lee left due to family and personal plans. His unparalleled support and resources in the ensemble’s early years, along with his tireless energy and execution, had taught them invaluable lessons about managing a music group and performing. His departure left a void, but Judy’s pressed forward. That same year, Ying-Chih Lin, a junior from the Affiliated High School Harmonica Club, joined as a chord harmonica player. Her exceptional language skills significantly boosted the ensemble’s international development.
In 2013, Judy’s competed at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany. Their trio piece, The Bird in the Dust, adapted from Gypsy jazz violinist Roby Lakatos, blended rhythm, speed, and soul. Pouring years of arrangement expertise and each member’s strengths into the performance, they took the stage with confidence and won the trio open category championship, while their quintet performance of Pirates of the Caribbean earned second place.
Dror gifted a custom-made slide chord harmonica (2015)
Milestones and Heartbreak
In 2015, Judy’s collaborated with the Liu Lien Culture Foundation to host the Taiwan International Harmonica Festival. The event demanded immense effort, but its highlight was reuniting with The Adler Trio—13 years after the "Magic Harmonica" concert. On stage, Dror Adler gifted them a custom-made slide chord harmonica inscribed with, “It’s time to inspire the world’s future harmonica players.” Those words were a torch, igniting their mission.
In 2016, Judy’s became the first harmonica ensemble to perform at Taiwan’s National Concert Hall with The Map Painter, a quintet piece composed by Jang Li. This concert was a milestone, proving that harmonica ensembles could shine in prestigious venues. In 2017, they were honored to perform and judge at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany, but before departing, Jang Li decided to leave the ensemble. The festival became his final performance with Judy’s, marked by bittersweet emotions. Jia-Jing Lin, a 21-year-old chromatic harmonica prodigy and Chu-ti’s student, joined the ensemble and won three championships at the World Harmonica Festival that year, injecting fresh vitality.
Taiwan National Concert Hall (2016)
World Harmonica Festival in Germany (2017)
Dror Adler x Judy's Reappearance of the Classic Concert, with Dror Adler on the far left (2019).
A Legend’s Farewell and a New Era
In 2018, The Adler Trio disbanded after 50 years. In 2019, Judy’s invited 74-year-old Dror Adler to Taiwan for Dror Adler x Judy's Reappearance of the Classic Concert. The performance was a time tunnel, with Dror’s notes blending seamlessly with Judy’s, as if they had never parted. They presented him with a chromatic harmonica inscribed, “Dream accomplished us, You accomplished our dream,” thanking him for his inspiration. The audience gave a standing ovation, honoring the master.
In the years that followed, the ensemble faced changes: in 2019, Ying-Chih Lin left for studies in the UK; in 2022, founding member Chih-Hui Yang ended his 20-year journey. Each departure was a blow, and the rarity of harmonica ensemble musicians made finding new members a daunting challenge. In 2019, Hann-Chyun Chen, a top chord harmonica player and Affiliated High School alumnus, joined, seamlessly integrating his musical vision. After Chih-Hui’s departure, bass harmonica maestro Chin-Chia Chang stepped in as a guest member to stabilize the lineup. Starting in 2023, the ensemble began training new talent, and in 2025, bass harmonica player Min-Xin Wu officially joined after two years of mentorship.
An Unfinished Symphony
Through glory and farewells, Judy’s continues to sing, their harmonica notes carrying their journey—from a high school club to the world stage, from a spark of passion to a mission of legacy. Judy’s story is not just about music but about chasing dreams, navigating change, and finding harmony amid life’s clamor.