Contact

	Xiaofeng Zhang (Erhu, two-stringed fiddle) Email:xfzhus@yahoo.com Phone:707-480-8835 Fax:707-887-1035 Xiaofeng Zhang specializes in the Chinese two-stringed fiddle, the erhu, and has performed with renowned orchestras, ensembles, and as a soloist all over the world. Raised in a musical family, Zhang began her musical training young, with her father as her first formal teacher. In 1978, she began studying Erhu under the direction of the famous Erhu professor, Liu Zhen Hua. At the age of 17 years old Zhang was accepted by the Central Conservatory of Junior Division in Beijing, China. In 1980 she graduated with honors, earning her the privilege of studying at the Conservatory College Program without having to take the strict auditions. From 1980 to 1984, Zhang studied under the nationally acclaimed professor Lan Yu Song at the Department of Chinese instrument of Central Conservatory of Music. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 1984. Since graduation in 1984, Xiaofeng Zhang has been teaching and performing both in China and abroad. From 1984 to 1997, Zhang was a member of the National Traditional Orchestra of China, touring within China and abroad. As a soloist, Zhang was featured by the Beijing Radio Broadcasting station, one of the largest radio stations in China, in a show entitled, “Xiaofeng Zhang’s Solo Performances.” Additionally, Zhang has performed Erhu with traditional ensembles touring throughout China as well as Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States. In 1997, Zhang Xiaofeng immigrated to the United States and was one of the founders of the Jumping Buddha Ensemble. She is continually active performing Erhu in various festivals and world music concerts. 1998, released jumpingbuddha Ensemble CD. 2000, xiaofeng zhang hold her Erhu Solo Concert at Clarion Music Center, San Francisco; and recorded her CD of Erhu solo collections in the same year. 2001 December premiered Erhu Concerto “Pale Sun Over Cold Land”, by Thomas Goss. 2002 was invited to perform at the Asian Festival “asiatisk karavane”, Norway. As a soloist, Xiaofeng zhang has been an active member participated all of the San Francisco World Music Festival from the First, 2000-year to the sixth 2008-year. On the fourth Francisco World Music Festival, She premiered Erhu Concerto “Rifia” “Marasil” by Marcel Khalife, Khalife, well knew Lebanese composer, with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra On 5th world music festival, xiaofeng zhang played Beijing Opera Music with the Kronos Quartet. 2004 xiaofeng zhang was invited back to Norway, recorded and released the CD of China, Iran and India music. Feb, 2005, xiaofeng zhang played Erhu solo of “Butter fly Lovers concerto”, and “Phoenix Concerto” (world premier) with the Cotati Philharmonic. Since 2001, xiaofeng zhang has been teaching Erhu in the “Chinese Music Program”, music department of Laney College , Oakland CA. Xiaofeng Zhang has been teaching Erhu in Music Department of Berkeley since 2007. Xiaofeng zhang currently is a board member of Door Dog Music productions, music director of The Jumping Buddha Ensemble.
	Hecheng Liu Pipa (short neck Chinese lute) and Guqin Email:oldliu_2000@yahoo.com Phone:707-695-9621 Hecheng Liu began his music study when he was five years old. He was admitted as a gifted student into the Junior Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at age 11, under the famous pipa master, Li Guang Hua, who trained only four students in his life time. Liu was one of the few youth chosen by the Chinese government for conservatory training at Madame Jiang Ching’s May 7th Cultural Arts University in Beijing. It was 1972, a time when everything in China was in suspense due to the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Madame Jiang Ching (Madame Mao) still loved and wanted to preserve something on a national scale. She wanted a special national school for the arts. Liu was one of the 40-50 students chosen to study at the May 7th Cultural Arts University.In 1980, Liu was accepted into the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing to study with Professor Chen Zen Min, a nationally acclaimed pipa virtuoso. Liu also studied guqin under Professor Li Xiang Ting. Upon graduation from the Conservatory, Liu features as Pipa soloist with the National Traditional Orchestra of China till 2000. He has toured with the Orchestra all over China, Europe, Southeast China, Taiwan and the United States. Liu was member of Pipa Society of Beijing and member of the Preservation of the Guqin Society in Beijing. The critics proclaimed “Liu’s music gracefully combines strength and emotion which touch the listeners’ heart and soul”.
	Wanpeng Guo (Sheng (mouth organ) Phone:707-478-0426 Wanpeng Gua studied sheng at the China Symphony Conservatory in Beijing with Professor Zhoufu Wu from 1975-1979. He was the former principle sheng player at the China Central National Orchestra. He received honors as one of the First Class Performer by the Department of Culture of the People of Republic of China in 1997. Guo was former member of the Asia Orchestra Ensemble which consisted of top-notched musicians form Japan, Korea and China. As member of the China Central Orchestra, Guo took part in a seventeen city tour in 1997 to the United States which included performance with world renowned cellist Yoyo Ma at Carnegie Hall. It is extraordinary to listen to the sound of the sheng, an instrument used dated back before Confucius’ time. Guo’s playing is pungent, and yet delicate.
	Lu Peng Yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer) email:penglu8@yahoo.com 915-7068188 Lu Peng started her performance career at the tender age of six. Her formal training began in 1978 when she entered the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Secondary School to study Yangqin and Piano. In 1981, she was advanced to the undergraduate program at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and studied with Professors Guo Ming-Qin and Hong Sheng-Mao. Peng was the solo performer at the Walt Disney World for 10 years before she moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 2002. Critics praised Lu Peng’s style is implicit, sincere and elegant.
	Michael Santoro (Xun, Xiao) msantoro@doordog.org phone(415-553-6272) Musician/ Producer Michael Santoro performs on several Chinese traditional wind instruments, including the dong xiao (vertical flute), bawu (transverse flute), and xun (globular ocarina). In addition to being Artistic Director and founding member of the Jumping Buddha Ensemble, he performs regularly with various Chinese musicians & Cantonese ensembles in the San Francisco Bay Area. Michael founded the thriving world music, non-profit Door-Dog Music Productions, which introduces various world musical traditions to students, teachers, and general audiences in San Francisco and surrounding counties. He is dedicated to live music production and is quite active with music and multi-cultural education and has received funding from California Arts Council, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Fund, Fort Mason Foundation, & Arts International. Michael is also Program Director of the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company.
	Fred Fung Yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer) Email: fred94530@yahoo.com Phone:510-2157851 Multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer Fred Fung was born and raised in the heart of the Cantonese folk music apex of Hong Kong. After immigrating to the United States from Hong Kong, Fred undertook studies at Berklee College of Music, receiving his Bachelor of Music degree with a focus in percussion, studio recording, and world music. Fred is pioneering a new approach and style of music incorporating traditional Chinese theory/ repertoire and various world music influences, such as- Asian folk (i.e. Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, etc.), Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, jazz, funk, and ambient music. His performance of the yangqin (hammered dulcimer) is revolutionizing the approach of the instrument. He is currently Music Director and founding member of the Jumping Buddha Ensemble and the Cantonese Music ensemble. Fred is active teaching and educating for Door Dog Music Productions, sharing his music and culture with students across the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, he performs with various Cantonese Opera Organizations in San Francisco.