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A classically trained musician with diverse interests, Derek Zhao blurs the lines among numerous genres both in his compositions and performance. Influenced by everything from the steroid-enhanced scores of Hans Zimmer to Thomas Newman’s quirky minimalistic soundscapes to Jerry Goldsmith’s sweeping symphonic masterpieces, he easily combines orchestral and electronic elements, effortlessly weaving in and out of classical, techno, pop, new age, ethnic, and various other styles. He has been featured on the front page of the Houston Chronicle’s entertainment section, and his compositions have been premiered at downtown Houston’s Hobby Center, performed by members of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Symphony, choreographed to by the Houston Ballet Academy, as well as aired on AT&T Wireless. Though his classical background earns him positions in orchestras such as the Brazos Valley Symphony, his immediately accessible stylings have resulted in work with BMG/Universal’s Chuck D as well as an appearance on Pittsburgh radio. Most recently, he has performed in concert with Time for Three and John Williams, written production music packages for shows on Trojan Vision TV8, and provided music for Hewlett-Packard and American Apparel. His familiarity with music from the three lenses of writer, performer, and sound engineer, puts him in a unique position to explore exciting possibilities. And armed with an extraordinary work ethic and the belief that creativity knows no bounds, Derek is ready to do just that.