By GeKA e.V.
At 22 years old, Cara Xu, the orchestral conductor and pianist who worked in the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, American National Orchestra Institute, and a three-times winner of Lincoln Center’s Young Artist Fellowship, is set to make her highly anticipated debut at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall with Berliner Symphoniker/Sinfonie Orchester Berlin.
Cara Xu’s musical odyssey began at a very young age. Starting piano lessons at 6, her talent quickly became evident. At just 11, she was accepted into the Institute for the Young and Highly Gifted at the Hochschule für Musik Hannover because of her exceptional hearing ability. Later, she attended the Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Torino under the program for gifted underage musicians.
However, most of her musical experience has been profoundly shaped in the United States, particularly New York City. She spent her undergraduate years at the Columbia University-Juilliard School Joint Program. When she studied piano at Juilliard, she developed a strong passion for conducting. Her time with the New York Philharmonic allowed her a daily life of observing and learning from world-class maestros such as Jaap van Zweden. During Van Zweden’s tenure, which was marked by efforts to refine the orchestra’s sound and initiatives like the renovation of David Geffen Hall, she gained valuable perspective on the commitment needed to support an orchestra’s growth and performance.
Cara Xu was a pianist and assistant conductor in New York at The Metropolitan Opera. She has gained intensive experience in opera, collaborating closely with seasoned professionals in large-scale productions. Following her time at the Met, she was invited to play in a chamber music tour alongside Simon Hu, the second violin principal of the opera house. Performing in diverse venues and engaging with varied audiences informed her of the collaborative nature of music-making.
She later pursued conducting studies under the guidance of renowned maestros such as Johannes Schlaefli, Jorma Panula, Martin Sieghart, and Uroš Lajovic. Throughout her career, she has conducted many esteemed ensembles, including Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach, Jenaer Philharmonie, Sofia Philharmonic, Bartok Chamber Ensemble, Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, Prague Philharmonia, Plovdiv State Opera, Stara Zagora State Opera, etc.
Cara Xu’s approach to music emphasizes a deep connection with the sound. She believes that good hearing is the most important skill of a conductor, and understanding the nuances of each instrument and the acoustics of performance spaces is crucial for creating a concert experience. Her recent project in Tallinn, Estonia, reflected this philosophy, where she initiated a week-long chamber music residency titled Sound of Nature at Arvo Pärt Centre. The project commissioned young composers and engaged musicians all around the world. She aims to explore innovative soundscapes, blending traditional and contemporary programs to reflect Estonia’s rich environmental and cultural heritage. As the project’s Artistic Director, she has been instrumental in bringing together world-class performing artists to use music as a platform for social change and cross-cultural dialogues.
Surprisingly, Cara Xu’s academic achievements extend beyond music. She speaks four languages and recently gained admission to Harvard University’s doctoral program in music. She also holds a second undergraduate degree in economics from Columbia University, part of the prestigious Columbia-Juilliard Joint Program. While her economics degree is not the focus of her work, it reflects her broad intellectual curiosity and ability to engage with topics far beyond the concert hall. “She can lead a large orchestra of over a hundred players, while she could also sit down in a forum to talk about the economy, politics, social changes, and current world events,” one colleague from the orchestra noted.
Her international experience has finally brought her to Berlin. Invited by Gesellschaft für Deutsch-Chinesischen Kulturellen Austausch e.V. (GeKA) and the Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, she will conduct Berliner Symphoniker/Sinfonie Orchester Berlin and present a program that seamlessly blends classical masterpieces with contemporary works. Moving to Berlin for further education in orchestral conducting, she immerses herself in the city’s vibrant yet complex history and cultural scene. Berlin’s historical significance in classical music and its contemporary artistic innovation offer her a unique environment to further develop her career as a conductor.
Reflecting on these experiences, she shares, “It’s not interesting at all just traveling to different places, making concerts, from one hotel to another, all year around… What truly excites me is always allowing each experience and each person I work with to inform me both as a musician and a person.” She values artistic growth as the most important thing, viewing each performance as a lesson for development rather than mere exhibition.
As Cara Xu prepares for her debut at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, audiences can look forward to a performance that embodies her diverse background and rich music experience. Her journey reflects a dedication to artistic growth and a passion for connecting with listeners through her craft.
Published by Joseph T.
