许菱子是广东潮州人，父母均为古筝演奏家及教育家，一九七九年，考入上海音乐学院，师从王昌元、何宝泉及郭鹰，一九八三年，以优异成绩毕业并留校任教，发表过论文《论古筝的左手揉按》，在首届教师节中被评为优秀教师，获教学优秀奖。一九八六年，调往中国中央民族乐团、为国家一级演奏员、中国音乐家协会会员、北京古筝研究会会员、中国民族管弦乐协会会员。一九九五年至今，为香港演艺学院古筝全职导师。许氏录制过多张个人专辑，亦在国庆晚会、上海之春及中央电视台等重要节目中担任独奏；并多次以独奏家身份出访过欧洲、北美及亚洲多国。
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.