New York - based Chinese pianist Yifei Xu has been acclaimed for her charismatic stage presence and appraised as an “incredibly passionate and logical pianist,” with “an amazing demonstration of prodigious skills” and “unique touches for the distinctive sound.” Sun News Austin says “In the capable hands of Xu, the piano effortlessly glides in despite the waves by the raucous orchestra. Xu immediately asserted control over it…”.

The adaptability of her programming to traditional Baroque, Classical, Romantic repertoires and the Avant-garde style of current modern times, speaks to the range of Xu’s versatility. Her playing combines lyricism and virtuosity with expressive and emotional power. Her performances over the years span many cities and prestigious venues in Asia, Europe, America such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Harvard Club of New York City, Bryant Park, Merkin Hall at Lincoln Center, BargeMusic, Roulette, The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Noguchi Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, etc. 

As a soloist, Xu has recently been invited to return to the Austin Symphony Orchestra in 2027 to perform Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of Music Director Peter Bay, following her 2023 performance of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F with the orchestra. She has also performed Rautavaara’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the American Modern Orchestra, and has appeared in series and venues including the BargeMusic Eclectic Concert Series, the NYC Contemporary Music Symposium at Columbia University, and residencies at the University of Florida and the Clark Art Institute. Additional engagements include performances with the Asian Cultural Symphony at American Dream and appearances at festivals such as the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival at Yale University, Aspen Music Festival, Bang on a Can, Mostly Modern Festival, Amalfi Coast Piano Festival, Brevard Music Festival, and Minnesota International Music Festival.

Given a special passion for the music of modern times, Xu has performed with the BlackBox Ensemble as pianist-in-residency, American Modern Ensemble, Norfolk Contemporary Ensemble, Infrasound Ensemble, Unheard-of Ensemble, Numinous Ensemble etc., as well as many world premieres nation-wide and internationally.

Xu has been awarded the the first prize in The American Prize Professional Solo; The second price in The American Prize Professional Concerto Competition; Winner of MMF Concerto Competition; First prize in Vivo International Music Competition - piano; Roy M. Rubinstein Award; The Solomon Mikowsky Contemporary Piano Music Award, and was honored by the Eisenberg/Fired Concerto Competition.

Xu earned her Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Dr. Marc Silverman, and received mentorship from Prof. Anthony de Mare. She has been giving lectures and masterclasses at various institutes such as Ithaca College, and she has been on the faculty of collaborative piano at Mostly Modern Festival since 2023, and has been invited as adjudicator for Elite International Music Competition since 2021.