CAFAC builds Chinese American Music Festival into year-round exchange platform

The Chinese-American Federation of Arts and Culture is expanding its 2026 Dallas-launched Chinese American Music Festival into a longer-term platform for artist exchange, youth development and cultural collaboration heading into 2027. The effort includes awards, traditional music programming and new partnerships across the United States and China.

Why it matters: - CAFAC is trying to turn the Chinese American Music Festival from a one-time event into a sustained channel for cultural exchange between the United States and China. - The festival’s next phase is aimed at younger musicians, educators and arts groups, which could widen its reach beyond concert audiences. - The program also ties music to broader people-to-people diplomacy at a time when cultural connection remains a visible soft-power tool.

What happened: - The Chinese-American Federation of Arts and Culture advanced plans for the Chinese American Music Festival after launching the festival in Dallas in 2026. - CAFAC said the festival is being developed as a continuing platform for musical exchange, artist collaboration, youth development and cultural dialogue. - The festival is led by Eric HZ, founder and chair of CAFAC and initiator and chief planner of the festival, and Christian TJ, CAFAC president and CEO of Notes Entertainment Group. - CAFAC is building toward 2027 by broadening artist participation and expanding original and traditional music programming.

The details: - The 2026 launch introduced the AUREVO™ Awards of the Chinese American Music Festival, also known in Chinese as the “Jinsheng Awards” (金声奖). - The awards recognize artistic achievement and contributions to music and cultural exchange. - Four artists received inaugural AUREVO™ Awards and were also named Founding Honorary Artists of the Chinese American Music Festival. - Sha Baoliang received the China–US Arts & Culture Exchange · Outstanding Contribution Award. - Yuan Sha received the China–US Arts & Culture Exchange · Traditional Music Global Communication Award. - Song Yuzhe received the China–US Arts & Culture Exchange · Emerging Original Music Award. - Chen Yimiao received the China–US Arts & Culture Exchange · Young Artist Heritage & Innovation Award. - Liu Xiaoqing, Tan Jing, Chen Jun, Ren Zhong, Ayanga and Shao Ziheng also supported the launch through video greetings and related participation and were named Founding Honorary Artists. - The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States sent a congratulatory letter highlighting music’s role in cultural exchange, mutual learning and understanding. - U.S. Representative Judy Chu gave Congressional Recognition for the festival’s cultural exchange and community understanding work. - The China Council for the Promotion of National Trade, the Chinese Language Education Foundation, CCTV’s “Daguo Pinpai” program and the Huaxia Culture Promotion Association also sent congratulatory messages. - CAFAC has supported the development of the Chinese-American Traditional Music Arts Exchange Association, which focuses on exchange and talent development around the erhu, guzheng and pipa. - The association’s leadership includes Yitong Wang, Lijuan Luo and Tangyu Jin. - Performing artist Zhang Baohe has served in an honorary leadership role and provided guidance to CAFAC. - Soprano, opera artist and vocal educator Wan Shanhong serves in an honorary leadership role with CAFAC. - Eric HZ performed his original song “Child” at the 21st Chinese American Film Festival and Chinese American TV Festival Golden Angel Awards Ceremony in 2025. - He also received the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to International Arts and Culture from those festivals. - In 2026, Eric HZ was invited to serve as a host and performing guest at Tan Jing’s Musical Journey at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. - In September 2026, Eric HZ participated in the Recording Academy’s “A Conversation with Leaders in Asian Music.” - Participants discussed the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and broader questions about Asian music in the global music landscape. - Eric HZ said, “Asian Pop should be a door, not a wall.”

Between the lines: - CAFAC is pairing a music festival with awards, artist honors and education-related initiatives to build a larger institutional footprint. - The focus on traditional instruments and original music suggests the festival is trying to balance heritage preservation with new creation. - The mix of U.S. and China recognition signals an effort to position the festival as a cross-border cultural project rather than a local event.

What's next: - CAFAC plans to continue developing the AUREVO™ Awards of the Chinese American Music Festival. - The organization plans to broaden participation from artists in the United States and China. - CAFAC also plans to support emerging musicians and expand original and traditional music programming. - Future efforts may include music forums, educational partnerships and additional cross-cultural collaborations. - Eric HZ said the festival’s goal is to create relationships that last beyond a single evening.

The bottom line: - CAFAC is treating the Chinese American Music Festival as a long-term platform for exchange, not just a performance series.