許菱子是廣東潮州人，父母均為古箏演奏家及教育家，一九七九年，考入上海音樂學院，師從王昌元、何寶泉及郭鷹，一九八三年，以優異成績畢業並留校任教，發表過論文《論古箏的左手揉按》，在首屆教師節中被評為優秀教師，獲教學優秀獎。一九八六年，調往中國中央民族樂團、為國家一級演奏員、中國音樂家協會會員、北京古箏研究會會員、中國民族管弦樂協會會員。一九九五年至今，為香港演藝學院古箏全職導師。許氏錄製過多張個人專輯，亦在國慶晚會、上海之春及中央電視台等重要節目中擔任獨奏；並多次以獨奏家身份出訪過歐洲、北美及亞洲多國。
XU Ling-zi
XU Ling-zi’s ancestral home was in Chaozhou, Guangdong province. Both of her parents are zheng performers and educationists. In 1979, she was admitted to the Shanghai Conservatory learning under WANG Chang-yuan, HE Bao-quan and GUO Ying. In 1983, she graduated from the conservatory and became a teacher there. In 1986, she was transferred to the National Traditional Orchestra of China. Since 1995, she has been a full-time zheng instructor at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She has made numerous solo albums over the years and has also performed as soloist in National Day gala concerts, in the Spring of Shanghai Festival and in the CCTV programme. Xu has made many tour performances in Europe, North America and Asia. Her performance has been acclaimed by most of the critics.