Contact

	Xiaofeng Zhang (Erhu, two-stringed fiddle) Email:xfzhus@yahoo.com Phone:707-480-8835 Fax:707-887-1035 Raised in a musical family, Zhang started music lesson with her father at an early age of seven. Her formal training began in 1978 with erhu master Liu Zhen Gua. At 17, she was accepted into the Central Conservatory of Junior Division in Beijing. Two years later, she was accepted into the Conservatory College Program without the strict audition. She studies under the nationally acclaimed Professor Lan Yu Song. She graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1984. After graduation from the Conservatory, Zhang joined the National Tradition Orchestra of China (1984-1997). The Orchestra performed all over China and has performed in many countries in Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States. Zhang’s style of playing is enthusiastic, elegant and carries the listener’s emotions through the passages.
	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.