Founded in 2016, Duo Chinoiserie has emerged as an unparalleled musical phenomenon, captivating audiences with their transcendent performances. Spearheaded by the exceptional talents of Chinese guzheng virtuoso Xia Jing and classical guitarist Hu Bin, this duo comprises two highly accomplished musicians who have attained unrivaled acclaim in their professional fields.

Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by Duo Chinoiserie's awe-inspiring performances. Grammy winning guitarist David Russell praises their work as a "moving and impressive combination" that showcases their mastery, profound musicality, and attractive phrasing of melodies. With their resolute global vision, Duo Chinoiserie magnificently weaves together the elegance of the Chinoiserie style, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western cultures through their extraordinary musical interpretations. Their meticulously curated repertoire, boldly handpicked, explores the enchanting dialogue and complementary textures of their instruments, uniting contrasting musical styles into a cohesive and well-defined whole.

Having graced illustrious international stages, Duo Chinoiserie maintains an active concert schedule, enthralling audiences with their sensational performances. They have been proudly presented by esteemed presenters such as the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, Arizona Arts Live, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, Austin Classical Guitar, Tidewater Classical Guitar, and many others. Their recent highlights include the world premiere of a double concerto at Carnegie Hall and a collaboration with Ballet Tucson on an original ballet production titled Queen Himiko. In recognition of their immense talent and creative artistry, Duo Chinoiserie has garnered widespread media attention, with mainstream outlets such as the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Lifestyle Magazine highlighting their captivating endeavors. Their award-winning debut album, "Chinoiserie: Building New Musical Bridges," released by Navona Records, has received high praise from music critics worldwide, acclaimed as "the most engaging anthology showcasing artistry at the highest level."

Embracing a boundless passion for innovation and the exploration of new musical forms, Duo Chinoiserie warmly welcomes collaborations that seamlessly integrate chamber music into other creative realms of performing arts. Their visionary spirit continues to reshape the landscape of contemporary music, captivating audiences worldwide with their extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to artistic excellence.

Meet Xia Jing and Hu Bin

  • Dr. Xia is a guzheng performer, scholar, and educator specializing in Chinese music, intercultural collaboration, and the arts in health. A member of the Chinese Musicians Association and visiting professor at the Bard US-China Music Institute, she bridges traditional artistry and contemporary research through performance and scholarship.

    Her artistry and contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Golden Bell Award—China’s most prestigious music award—the Master of Chinese Traditional Musical Instrument distinction from the California State Senate, the Master Artist Award from the Southwest Folklife Alliance, and the 30 Selected Leaders for the Future by the All American Chinese Youth Federation.

    As a performing artist, Dr. Xia has toured internationally across Switzerland, New Zealand, Spain, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the United States, appearing as concerto soloist with renowned orchestras including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, China National Traditional Orchestra, and Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Her performances and artistic initiatives have been featured by the UK Chinese Journal, Radio New Zealand, NZ Herald, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, Arizona Public Media, and other international outlets.

    Deeply rooted in the guzheng’s classical tradition, Dr. Xia is equally passionate about exploring new sounds, techniques, and cross-cultural expressions. Her performing style—at once tranquil and powerful—reveals the instrument’s vast emotional range, inviting listeners to experience the beauty of nature, the vitality of life, and the light of humanity.

    Beginning her guzheng studies at the age of four, Dr. Xia trained under leading Chinese masters and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the China Conservatory of Music. She later completed her Ph.D. in Applied Intercultural Arts Research at the University of Arizona, where her work focuses on the intersections of music, culture, and wellbeing. Her scholarly contributions include publications with the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) and presentations at the Association for Chinese Music Research (ACMR), the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance (ICTMD), and the National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH).

  • Dr. Hu has captivated audiences across continents, performing in Austria, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Spain, and the United States. A versatile artist, he has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist, leaving a lasting impression on stages around the world.

    Earning international recognition, Dr. Hu was awarded first prize at the 2016 David Russell Bach Prize, a distinction personally conferred by GRAMMY Award–winning guitarist David Russell. The honor affirmed his reputation as an outstanding Bach interpreter, known for bringing fresh insights into the works of the great composer. His acclaimed all-Bach album, Ciaccona—released by Eudora Records in Spain—has been praised by critics for its expressive insight and sonic beauty, establishing him as one of today’s foremost voices in the art of Bach interpretation on the classical guitar.

    Beyond performance, Dr. Hu is a devoted scholar and educator. He has been invited to teach and lecture at conservatories and conferences around the world, sharing his expertise in Baroque performance practice on the guitar. A former guest lecturer at the Guitar Foundation of America International Convention, he has also contributed to the Soundboard magazine. His students—some as young as nine—have achieved success in international competitions, reflecting his effective pedagogical approach and commitment to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of musicians.

    Dr. Hu earned his Master of Arts with distinction from the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, studying under Marco Tamayo, and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Arizona under Thomas Patterson. His artistic development has also been influenced by luminaries such as Sérgio and Odair Assad, David Russell, René Izquierdo, Eliot Fisk, and Ricardo Gallén.