Donald J. Holder 
    Donald J. Holder was born in Los Angeles but raised in a small town in New Mexico. In college he pursued studies in East Asian studies, music and education. Since coming to China in 1996, he has taught primarily at The Affiliated High School of Beijing University, rising to Assistant Head of School for its Shenzhen branch, his current position. He has also been a guest lecturer at the Beijing Institute of Education and the Central Conservatory of Music. Not only a teacher, Mr. Holder is a conductor of some note, having conducted musical ensembles on American national television, at the Beijing Concert Hall, Beijing University and Tsinghua University.

    Mr. Holder’s television career in China was launched in 1998 at Beijing TV where he was co-host of “Bilingual Magazine” for two years. He recorded over 400 programs with BTV before he was asked to be the host of “Kindergarten Chinese” by CCTV. “Kindergarten Chinese” was followed by “After School Chinese” bringing the number of shows Mr. Holder has recorded for CCTV to over 100.

    When asked what makes people most surprised when they meet him, Mr. Holder states, “People are usually surprised at just how serious a person I am. They often wonder how I can suddenly change into this silly person on TV. I usually just tell them that when working with children or for children I tend to let myself become a child, too. But after class (or after taping a television program) I go back to being Mr. Serious and hide in my room with a good book or listen to some good music. People might think I like to go to parties or have loud, exciting fun; but I would much rather take a walk in the mountains or just read. I guess that in reality I’m a pretty boring guy.”

    Mr. Holder now lives in Shenzhen with his wife. They are expecting their first child.