Cellist Xia Wu's New York Journey: A Symphony of Music and the City's Pulse

In July 2025, cellist Xia Wu embarked on an unforgettable journey to New York. The 6th New York Big Apple Music Festival, hosted by the Paulus Hook Music Foundation, was held successfully from July 19th to 20th at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. As a guest artist for the festival, Wu took the stage at Stern Auditorium, opening a musical dialogue with the city. The festival, which, through cross-regional and cross-cultural artistic exchange, partnered with the United Nations Music Organization to spread a profound message of friendship and peace, resonated deeply with Wu. Distinguished guests, including Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, and Mr. Peter Dawkins, President of the UN Staff Recreation Council, were present to witness this historic occasion. For Wu, this was not only a new milestone in her 15-year career but also a heartfelt expression of her love for New York's musical art scene.

"I always get so emotional about the music scene in New York," Wu said. "The artistic vibe here is everywhere you go. It feels like a huge orchestra, and every corner is playing a different song." Wu, acclaimed for her exquisite musicianship and exceptional teaching, has left her musical footprints on stages worldwide, from the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland and the Saito Kinen Festival in Japan to the Dartington Music Festival in the UK and venues in Germany, Austria, and beyond. This trip to New York held a special place in her heart, and she felt immensely honored to blend her music into the city's symphony, creating unforgettable moments with the audience.

On the New York Big Apple Music Festival stage, Wu delivered a brilliant cross-cultural and cross-regional collaboration with the United Nations Symphony Orchestra, the Celadon Star World Orchestra, and a Pipa professor from the China Conservatory of Music. She firmly believes that the fusion of different cultural backgrounds injects new vitality and depth into music, which perfectly aligns with the festival's theme of peace.

Beyond her brilliant stage performances, Wu also gladly accepted an invitation from Long Island Tutii Music and Arts to hold a masterclass titled "Discover the Symphony Orchestra: A Big Musical Adventure." Teaching is an indispensable part of her musical life, and her philosophy centers on fostering a love for music through personalized instruction. In a city teeming with talent, she was excited to share her experience and insights with a new generation of musicians. "The opportunity to communicate with students in New York and listen to their voices was thrilling," Wu said. "I believe every student has unique potential, and my role is to help them find the key to unlock it." Her teaching has produced remarkable results, with students successfully accepted into prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard Pre-College, NEC, Royal Academy of Music, and Leipzig Conservatory.

Wu's artistic journey has been one of continuous exploration and breakthrough. Her career began in Shanghai, where she was a member of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. After moving to the U.S. in 2018, she continued her work as a guest cellist for orchestras like the Silicon Valley Symphony and the California Pops Orchestra. Currently, she is a self-employed musician in Shanghai, balancing her roles as a full-time cello tutor, performing artist, and music event organizer. Wu holds a robust academic background, with an Artist Diploma and a Master of Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Master of Arts from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She is also an active member of professional organizations, including the Chinese Music Teachers' Association of Northern California, the China Cello Society, and the Shanghai Professional Cellists' Society.