ENKOR Piano and Violin Competition 2014
VIVIAN XU | USA | Age 15 | Piano B
Third Prize Winner
Vivian Xu, 15, is an upcoming sophomore at East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, New Jersey and currently studies piano with Professor Ingrid Clarfield at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Vivian has won numerous top awards including first place in the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Young Musicians Competition, alternate winner of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Performance Competition’s Junior Division, and first prize for the Associated Music Teachers League Scholarship. In fact, she has been honored at the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Spring Audition Recitals for nine years now. Vivian most recently received the gold prize of the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey for scoring the highest in all three competition divisions. As a result of winning the Cecilian Young Artist Competition and Golden Key Festival multiple times since she was six years old, Vivian performed as a soloist in many prestigious halls including Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall of Carnegie Hall. Vivian was also the third place winner of the Distinguished Artist Competition of Shore Music Educators Association. In addition, she won the silver prize for the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artists Concerto Competition and was a prize winner in the Steinway Society Scholarship Competition and Piano Teachers Congress Honors Program. Being one of the five Elmer and Louise Menges Scholarship Recipients, Vivian made her orchestral solo debut performance with the Ambler Symphony in February of 2013. Additionally, she has received the gold prize for the East Brunswick Solo and Ensemble Festival and been selected to perform in the East Brunswick Young Musicians Honors Concert, which is aired on EBTV, for the past four years. Vivian received distinction in the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music Examinations (Grade 8) as well. During the summers of 2012 and 2013, Vivian studied piano at the International Institute for Young Musicians (IIYM) and worked with renowned pianists including Steven Spooner and Dr. Jack Winerock. As a result of being selected as a winner of the New Jersey State Conference Master Class, Vivian also worked with distinguished pianist, Dr. Barry J. Snyder.
Vivian is also an avid flutist and was a member of the 2012 and 2013 Central Jersey Intermediate Regional Band. Most recently, at the 2014 Central Jersey Music Educators Association Region II Concert Band Festival, Vivian received the “Outstanding Musicianship” award for her flute solo.
In her spare time, Vivian enjoys listening to music, playing tennis, and hanging out with her friends.
