Duo IX
Isa Opstaele, from Bruges,Belgium,discovered his passion for double bass at the age of
nine and began his musical journey under the guidance of Jan Verheye at the Conservatory
of Bruges. At a young age, Isa already showed interest in various projects and (youth)
orchestras. His musical journey began in West Flanders, where he participated in JOWest
(Jeugdorkest West Vlaanderen). He then enriched his experience by playing for several
years in the Euregio Jeugdorkest in the Netherlands, and he worked in projects with
renowned ensembles such as Symfonie Orkest Vlaanderen Young, Koninklijk
Harmonieorkest Vooruit and Mahler Student Festival Orchestra. In addition to his dedication
to classical music, Isa also explores new music and various genres. He explores solo
improvisations using effects pedals and loops to explore new sounds and possibilities of the
double bass. He is also an active member of the band called The Christian Club. He
co-founded Dier Drie with a friend, an event for sound art and performance, focusing on the
convergence of visual art and experimental music. Recently Isa accomplished his master's
degree in classical music at the Conservatory of Ghent by his mentor David Desimpelaere
with highest distinction and is selected as academist from season 2025/26 in the Belgian
National Orchestra and the Orchestra of La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels.
Xiaocheng Wang, was born in Qingdao,China. His music education started as a member of
the City Boys Choir and clarinet lessons with his uncle. Career path brought him to Europe
to study at the Musikhochschule zu Leipzig and further on with Christoph Zimper at the
University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. As a soloist he performed with Pro Arte
Orchestra of MDW and gave recitals at the Felix-Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Foundation
Leipzig. As active chamber musician he was part of Max-Reger Day in Leipzig, Hanns Eisler
Festival in Vienna, Festspiele Reichenau in Lower Austria, Sommer Oper Festspiele in
Pfaffstätten with ensemble soloists of the Vienna State Opera. He has been on tour to
Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria and Tunisia with the Operetten Bühne Orchestra
and Ball Orchestra of Vienna. Influential experiences include working with Vienna Ensemble
under Erwin Ortner,with International Orchestra Institute of Vienna Philharmonic under Axel
Kober in Attergau and with Webern Symphony Orchestra under Kirill Petrenko at the Golden
Hall of Musikverein in Vienna. Recently he finished the Erasmus Master program with Eddy
Vanoosthuyse at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent and obtained his magister degree in
Vienna with highest distinction.
Both musicians met in Royal Conservatory of Ghent and have been playing together in
Orchestra Masterclasses of the Flemish Symphony Orchestra and Chambermusic Ensemble
Concerts in Lauden Concert series of St.Baaf Abbey and KONG vzw. art organisation in
Ghent.
