<p>Globalization has profoundly impacted the cultural landscape of music globally. Contemporary youth prioritise popular music genres, often perceiving traditional music as antiquated. This shift poses significant challenges to preserving and transmitting cultural heritage through musical practices. This research also aims to understand students’ and educators’ perceptions of this dynamic in China. Using a qualitative approach, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with music teachers. Findings highlighted some key themes, reflecting the participants’ responses. It is found that students appreciate traditional music but show mixed enthusiasm, favouring global contemporary genres that feel more emotionally relatable and relevant; and they experience an identity tension between preserving tradition and embracing modernity, often seeking fusion styles to negotiate these worlds. Also, teachers identified fusion as a pedagogical bridge that modernises cultural learning and increases student engagement. However, curricular rigidity and institutional constraints limit the full integration of global and traditional music forms. Implications suggest a need for culturally rich and engaging music education that blends traditional practices with modern methods. This includes incorporating performance-based learning, promoting the digital preservation of traditional music, and ensuring deeper cultural contextualization to sustain cultural heritage, enhance student appreciation, and strengthen national identity in an increasingly globalised world. Finally, study limitations and implications for future studies are discussed.</p>