The age of 18 is full of dreams and a sign of becoming mature. In the eyes of his teachers and friends, Xu Xiaonan, a youngster in curls and wearing a pair of glasses, has not only grown into a gentle, steady and handsome lad, but also become proficient in his accordion performance day by day.

In 1990, Xu Xiaonan was born in scenic city, Qinhuangdao, In 1996, he began to learn traditional bass accordion from Freng Jian, Headmaster of Qinhuangdao Zhongyi Art School; In September 2001, he switched to System B free-bass accordion; In November 2002, he began to learn free-bass accordion (Bayan) from Meng Hui, an outstanding accordion teacher at the High School Affiliated to the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, At the end of 2003, he began to learn from Prof. cao Xiaoqing, a famous accordionist and educationist at the Central Conservatory of Music; who once studied in Germany; in 2005, he was enrolled by the accordion specialty of the High School Affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music from the Qinhuangdao Seventh High School through examination as the top student in this specialty and started specialized accordion studies. Now he is a Senior-2 student of the accordion speciality of the High School Affiliate to the Central Conservatory of Music.

Thanks to his inborn intelligence, the directions from masters and the acquired diligence, he has grown up rapidly. Over these years, he has won the first place in Children's Group A Solo at the accordion competition of the Seventh China (Beijing) International Accordion Festival in 2000, the first place in Children's Group A Solo at the accordion competition of the Eighth China (Beijing) International Accordion Festival in 2001, the first place in Teens Group at the competition of the Tenth China (Beijing) International Accordion Festival in 2004, the frist place in Teens Group at the 29th Italy Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in 2004, the first place in Teens Group at the accordion competition of the Second Tianjin International Accordion Festival in August 2005, the first place in the Pearl River Auto-bass Group of the First "Pearl River Cup" Accordion Prize Contest in November 2005, the first place in Teens Group at the accordion competition of the Shanghai Spring International Accordion Festival in 2006, the first place in the Professional Group of Affiliated High Schools of the "Parrot Cup " Beijing Accordion Festival in 2006, the first place of the Special Prize in the Professioanl Group of the Concordant Melody" Beijing Accordion Competition in 2007, and the second prize of the Fu Chengzian Scholarship in November 2007 (special scholarship for conservatories only, available at the Central Conservatory of Music and teh the Shanghai Conservatory of Music only, aimed to reward globally influential elites in music, Xu Xiaonan is the only student of accordion receiving this honor at the Central Conservatory of Music)... You can hardly associate these with a gentle youngster who has become an adult.

In recent years, Prof. Cao Xiaoqing has created many opportunities of practice and competing abroad for Xu Xiaonan to improve his skills in practice and broaden his vision through competition with master hands from different counries. From the closing ceremony of the Eleventh Beijing International Accordion Competition to playing for his fellow townsmen, from playing for his peers at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music to playing in Luoyang and Jiyuan in Henan Province and New Brandenburg, Germany...he has impressed experts, peers, audience and friends deeply and favorably everywhere. He has gained increasing fame and proficiency. His performance talent and his great passion complement each other, which makes him the best music performer in the accordion field of China and the idol of the youth. It is not exaggerated at all to call him the most influential young accordionist of China today. The comment of Russian accordionist Valery on his performance is that he has exceptional music performance ability and skills; after having listened to Xu's performance at the Seventh Beijing International Accordion Competition, Nizovskiy, one of the five accordion academicians of Russia, embraced Xu Xiaonan in his arms excitedly and put the "Russian Musicians Association" medal on his breast personally; after listening to Xu's performance, Russian accordionist Shishkin said that Xu Xiaonan would be a world-class performer. Li Yuqiu, Honorary President of the Society of Accordion, Chinese Musicians Association and senior composer, said, "In this way, Xu could be and should be the first world-class artist of China." After listening to Xu's performance, Mr. Yang Wentao, a famous accordionist of the last generation, said "He has the style of a great man at such a young age". Mr, Shan Yuanchang, old-generation educationist, praised Xiaonan's performance as "melodious and long-lasting rhythm"...The praises from experts are encouragement and reconition of Xu Xiaonan's achievments. As the author, I once witnessed in person that at a concert in Beijing which Xu attended, when his wonderful performance ended, many warm audience shouted in applause, "Xu Xiaonan, you're really smart!" Yes! These applauses are the best reward for their beloved performer and the youth's shout is the heartfelt acclamation for their idol.

If we say Lang Lang the "Piano Price" became a remarkable talent among those born in the 1980s through hard work, we also have reason to believe that Xu Xiaonan will surely become a new star among those born in the 1990s and the new-age symbol of accordion, renowned as the "Romantic Prince" in the family of musical instruments. We sincerely wish Xu Xiaonan, rising like a brilliant new star, to do more for today's colorful Chinese music world.

Contact:
Email: xuxiaonan2009@126.com