Leia Zhu
Leia Zhu | |
|---|---|
 Zhu in June 2019 | |
| Born | Leia Zhengying Zhu October 2006 (age 18) Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Occupation | Violinist |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Website | leiazhu |
Leia Zhengying Zhu (Chinese: 朱蕾雅, born in October 2006) is a British violinist.[1]
Early life and education
Leia Zhengying Zhu[2] was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, to Yanhong Bi[3] and a Chinese father.[4] She has a younger brother, Leo.[5] Zhu's grandmother gave her a violin when Zhu was age three,[6][7] after developing an interest in classical music inspired by her parents' listening habits.[8] Her first public performance was at the North East Last Night of the Proms an Newcastle City Hall, at age four.[4]
Zhu attended Fellside Community Primary School in Gateshead,[3] and St Edward's School in Oxford.[4][7] She is fluent in English and Chinese, and is learning French and German.[7]
Career and other ventures
Zhu first performed overseas at the age of six in Spain.[3][7] In 2019, Zhu became the youngest artist to be managed by the London-based artist agency HarrisonParrott,[1] and the youngest artist-in-residence with the London Mozart Players in 2021.[7][9] In 2022, Classic FM named Zhu as one of its group of 'Rising Stars 2022' artists.[10]
Zhu has been involved in education outreach programmes established by London Mozart Players, promoting classical music to young people.[6][7] In 2020, she entered a partnership between Google Arts and Culture and HarrisonParrott on YouTube, introducing and performing works by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst.[11][12] Zhu has also shown an interest in filmmaking, having a film shortlisted at CineMagic in 2020.[4][5]
Zhu published her autobiography titled Bows, Strings, and Dreams in October 2023.[13] In 2024, Zhu completed a Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers at the London Institute of Banking & Finance.[14]
References
- ^ a b "HarrisonParrott Welcomes British Violinist Leia Zhu To Its Roster for Worldwide General Management" (Press release). HarrisonParrott. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "International Holocaust Commemoration Day Ceremony" (PDF). European Parliament. 24 January 2018. p. 1. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Marsh, Michael (30 March 2015). "Gateshead wonderkid Leia Zhu, Eight, wins international contest with amazing violin performance". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Davis, Barry (15 January 2023). "Young, talented and restless". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Sibling violinists shortlisted for Filmmaker award | ZChannel". 19 September 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ a b Savant, Samir (October 2023). "Artist on Artist: Leia Zhu Talks to Samir Savant". St George's Bristol. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Platt, Poppie (3 October 2021). "Why mind music is key to 14-year-old violin prodigy Leia". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Spotlight on Leia Zhu". Philharmonia. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "London Mozart Players name violin prodigy Leia Zhu as artist in residence". The Strad. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Classic FM's Rising Stars: 30 brilliant musicians we're celebrating in 2022". Classic FM. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ^ "Leia Zhu introduces the composer Ernst". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Leia Zhu launches HP partnership with Google Arts & Culture" (Press release). HarrisonParrott. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Leia Zhu publishes her first book, Bows, Strings and Dreams" (Press release). HarrisonParrott. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Visi Money (14 January 2024). "17-year-old violin prodigy chooses finance over music for her future". Analyze Bank. Retrieved 19 February 2025.