Mike Xiao

Mike Xiao is a multi-instrumentalist from Beijing, China, currently active in Vancouver, Canada. He specializes in both electric and acoustic guitar, with additional proficiency in bass and drums. Mike graduated from Capilano University with a Diploma in Jazz Studies and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at Vancouver Community College, majoring in Modern/Jazz Guitar. He has studied with several renowned Vancouver musicians, including Kyle Lau, Dave Martone, Bill Coon, Daryl Jahnke, and Dave Robbins.

Passionate about exploring a wide range of musical styles—including jazz, rock, fusion, and blues—Mike’s versatility allows him to collaborate with musicians from diverse musical backgrounds. He is currently an active guitarist in two Vancouver-based bands: Branch291 and Musos. He also performs with different local musicians on various gigs.

Since 2019, Mike has worked as a music consultant at Tom Lee Music (Richmond), and since 2022, he has also been teaching at Artimusic Academy, offering private music lessons in guitar, bass, and drums. In his teaching, Mike primarily uses his own self-written materials and adjusts his teaching approach flexibly according to each student’s needs. He is also experienced in preparing students for graded exams, mainly focusing on the UK RSL Awards syllabus.

As a recording artist, Mike has contributed to the creation of several original singles, performing both guitar and bass parts for various musicians. In July 2025, he released the single “Grinding!” with River L. and Wesley W., followed by Musos’ debut single “Choice.” He also recorded guitar and bass for Marcus Cho’s September release “時不知 (Shi Bu Zhi).”

Online, Mike runs his own YouTube channel, featuring live performance recordings, cover videos, and student showcases. He also publishes and sells his original transcriptions on MyMusicSheet. In addition, his band Branch291 produces high-quality cover videos on YouTube, where Mike takes on dual roles as both performer and recording engineer.