Sunday, January 4, 2026, 4:00PM

Oboist Ella Xu

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13 year old Ella Xu began her musical journey on piano 

at age 5 and discovered her passion for the oboe at 8. 

At age 11, she made her orchestral debut at  the Vienna 

Konzerthaus with the Vienna Opera Ball Orchestra, as a 

winner of the Classicalia Global Televised Music Competition. 

Since then, she has performed as a soloist with ensembles 

such as the United States Army Field Band, the Oistrakh

Symphony of Chicago, the Northern Dutchess Symphony

Orchestra and Mannes Pre-College Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Her performances have taken her to renowned venues, 

including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy

Center Millennium Stage, Vienna Concert Hall, the DiMenna 

Center, Merkin Concert Hall, and Murchison Performing 

Arts Center.

 

Her recent accolades include an appearance on PBS's

SoCal program, as well winning top prizes in various competitions. 

Ella won the DePaul National Concerto Competition (2025), the Grand Prize at the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition (2024), 1st Prize at the International Grande Music Competition (2024), the Grand Prize in the Philadelphia International Music Festival Virtue Concerto Competition (2023), and  1st Prize at the Music International Grand Prix Competition (2022).

 

Ella has also distinguished herself as a pianist, winning top prizes in competitions including the Grand Prize at the International Artist Competition (2023), 1st Prize at the Piano Neuchâtel-Val de Travers International Competition (2023), and the 1st Prize at the William Knabe International Piano Competition (2022).

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Committed to sharing music with her community, Ella regularly performs for marginalized groups through the nonprofit Concerts in Motion, bringing music to those who might otherwise have limited access to live performances.

 

Currently a 7th grader at Hunter College High School in New York City, Ella studies oboe with Ms. Yousun Chung and Ms. Elaine Douvas at Juilliard Pre-College. When she is not making music or reeds, Ella enjoys photography, app design, and speedcubing. She also has a passion for theater and enjoys writing and performing her own plays.

 

For Ella, music is a vital part of who she is. Whether performing on grand stages or in intimate settings, she hopes to connect with her audience through the shared experience of music.