Xinyi Zheng

Xinyi ZHENG, a Chinese percussionist, currently serves on the faculty at Xiamen University and performs as a member of the Xiamen Symphony Orchestra. She is a versatile artist in the realms of solo, chamber, contemporary, and orchestral music.

Her musical journey has been guided by a prestigious array of mentors, including Prof. Zhao Ji from the Central Conservatory of Music, the globally acclaimed marimbist Prof. Nancy Zeltsman, Prof. Jim Culley of the Cincinnati Percussion Group, Prof. Samuel Z. Solomon, Prof. Douglas Perkins, Associate Professor and Director of Percussion at the University of Michigan, and Mr. Jonathan Fox, Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Her accolades include a Third Prize in Solo Snare Drum at the Second International Percussion Competition of China in August 2010, and a Second Prize in solo marimba at the inaugural Fujian Percussion Competition in July 2015. In July 2016, she was honored with an invitation to participate in the prestigious Second Edition of the Percussion Competition and IPEA Percussion Elite Competition in Fujian, China.

Xinyi has also demonstrated her artistry through a series of percussion recitals, having successfully hosted 8 recitals that have showcased her diverse talents and captivated audiences with her unique interpretations and skillful execution.

Beyond her solo achievements, Xinyi is deeply committed to ensemble work. During her tenure in Singapore, she actively engaged with percussion ensembles, new music ensembles, and orchestras. She has performed on the stages of renowned concert halls, including the Esplanade and the Victoria Concert Hall, performing with the school orchestra, directed by Jason Lai, as well as distinguished guest conductors like Eiji Oue, Gabor Takacs-Nagy, and Scottish Light. In 2014, she was part of the London Sinfonietta's performance at the Singapore International Arts Festival.

Upon relocating to Boston, Xinyi continued to immerse herself in ensemble and orchestral performances, extending her artistry to the opera. In 2017, she performed at The Boston Conservatory's 105th Anniversary Gala, held at the iconic Boston Symphony Hall.

Her international presence was further cemented in July 2018 when she was invited to showcase her talents at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) as part of the Cincinnati Percussion Ensemble. In 2019, she performed Stravinsky’s “Les Noces” with Cincinnati Conservatory piano faculty Dror Biran and James Tocco, as well as the UC and CCM choirs.

Xinyi's academic pursuits have been marked by excellence and recognition. In 2013, she received a full scholarship to pursue her Bachelor's degree at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore. She continued her studies with the highest scholarship at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2015, under the tutelage of world-renowned marimbist Nancy Zeltsman, Kyle Brightwell, Doug Perkins, and Sam Z. Solomon. In 2017, she earned her Artist Diploma Degree at Cincinnati College-Conservatory with the highest scholarship, studying with esteemed members of the Cincinnati Percussion Group, including Jim Culley, Rusty Burge, and Allen Otte.