Leia Zhu – The Violin Girl – exhilarates audiences at Teddies
This week began with a remarkable and very memorable all school assembly on Monday. Former pupil and international violin superstar, 16-year-old Leia Zhu – also known as The Violin Girl – entranced pupils and staff alike with her virtuoso violin performance of pieces by Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns, accompanied by pianist Kaoru Wada.
Leia Zhu in the Olivier
Introducing each piece with background on the composer and the composition, Leia shared her insights both as a musician and as an educator before wowing all present with her exhilarating and energetic performances, all played from memory. Following several rounds of applause, the Warden congratulated Leia and remarked that all those present would remember this shared musical experience for years to come, and look back on this moment as we watch her career go from strength to strength.
Leia’s evening performance to OSE and local residents was another showcase of her exceptional talent, energy and self-assurance on stage. The hour-long programme without interval included Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto 1st Movement and three pieces by Saint-Saëns (all additional to those played that morning), ending with the lively Rondo Capriccioso and a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience.
Local resident, Jacqui Miles, who is the former first violin for English National Orchestra and the founder of The Oxford Violin School, commented on the complexity and technicality of the pieces, and how Leia had given us the ‘greatest hits’ programme. She chose to play the most dynamic elements of each concerto with only one slower movement, which is a significant achievement to pull off. In summary, Jacqui stated “It was absolutely amazing!” and she shared with Leia how she is an inspiration to her young violin pupils.
After juggling school with her performance schedule, and since finishing her GCSEs at Teddies this summer (achieving 8 A*s), Leia has been preparing over the summer for life as a full-time professional violinist. She chose to open the 2023/24 season with these performances at St Edward’s, and has a dynamic schedule of UK and international concerts and tours ahead.
The 2023/24 season highlights include UK concerts with Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and RTÉ National Symphony among others, a debut in Poland, and a residency in Abu Dhabi. She also returns to Spain and to Festival Strings Lucerne with an Italian tour and her first collaboration with the Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien.
Leia returns to Oxford on 4 December for a concert with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra at The Sheldonian, performing the beloved masterpiece The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams amongst other pieces. Tickets are now on sale.
To find out more about Leia and follow her progress, see her agent’s website and www.leiazhu.info, and follow her on Instagram; Youtube; Facebook