Wigmore Hall (London), St David’s Hall (Cardiff), Colston Hall (Bristol) Di Xiao and THSH (Town Hall and www.dixiao.co.uk Symphony Hall; Birmingham). Following a Cologne Philharmonie • Concert recital, played to an audience of • Director of the BCU International Academy over 1000, the press stated that “Di • Lecturer at Birmingham Xiao presents a demanding Conservatoire programme that takes your breath • Honourable professor at away.” Shanxi University

“A very clear mind and excellent An advocate of local music, Xiao fingers” - has supported a number of music festivals including Bremen Musikfest

Described as “a pianist of (Germany), New Generation Arts Festival (UK), Buxton Arts Festival Xiao recognises that her unique awesome gifts” by the Birmingham (UK), Leamington Music Festival profile forms a bridge between two Post, Chinese pianist Di Xiao has (UK) and, in 2010, her home town’s cultures and makes her an built a reputation as a musician and enormous inaugural international ambassador for the international ambassador for the Festival in GuangZhou (Canton). piano, a role which she takes very piano. seriously. She travels extensively to

Di released her debut Album “Di share her knowledge and For Di, success began at an early Xiao Presents” in 2008. Her second experience with the next generation age when she won the ‘Most ‘Journey’ was released in October of aspiring musicians. Di’s Outstanding Young Musician of 2011 and a third is currently in 2013/2014 tours included Guangdong Province Award’ aged production. Many of Xiao’s live workshops, master-classes and just 16. Since then she has won performances have been concerts across 9 cities . In many national and international transmitted on national radio recognition of her contribution to prizes including; the Ludlow stations across Europe. Other music, ShanXi University (China) Philharmonic Concerto Prize in 2005, media appearances have included awarded Di Xiao an honorary the Birmingham Symphony Hall live performances on BBC Radio 3’s professorship in 2014. Prize in 2006, a Worshipful In Tune, BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Company of Musicians Silver Medal Hour and Classic FM. Xiao was appointed Director of in 2007 and, in the same year, first Birmingham City University (BCU) prize in the Brant International Piano International Piano Academy (IPA) Competition. In 2012, Xiao took part in the in 2014. The IPA is an exciting 3 Chinese–British young leader’s week course that helps from Di’s international career started at forum. She was selected to lead the across the globe to improve their 17 when she played Chengzong team at a Parliamentary Round technique and musicianship. The Yin’s Yellow River Piano Concerto in Table discussion on Creative course includes performances and for the Malaysian Industries where the panel included master-classes by world-class Royal Family. Subsequently Di has the head of Arts Council England, artists and an exciting programme of been invited to perform as a soloist industry leaders and academics. musical education and inspiring in many countries including Ukraine, lectures , India, China and the UK. An international perspective and a Her debut at Symphony Hall Di enjoys working with other Birmingham in 2006 was described wealth of experience mean that Xiao has become a respected thinker on musicians and has collaborated with by the UK Chinese Times as “A artists such as Julian Lloyd Webber stunning concert!” and an early musical issues. She has published a number of articles in the Chinese and guitarist . Her performance of the Schumann repertoire reflects a wide spectrum Concerto prompted The Birmingham Financial Times, Piano Art Magazine and UK Chinese Times. of musical styles from Chinese folk Post to say “In her graceful, dancing music, through western classical to finale it was easy to imagine Clara Her 2014 article “the Chinese piano ‘Great Leap’.” provoked much contemporary piano works. A Schumann at the keyboard.” profound understanding of her art debate and has been republished many times. Xiao’s own story has and a deep belief in the universal Di has performed in some of the language of music give a special World’s leading venues, including been the subject of articles in a number of leading publications quality and integrity to Di Xiao’s The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, playing. Consequently, she builds a Luxembourg Philharmonie, including Classical Music Magazine, Pianist Magazine and International strong bond with audiences Hamburg Laeiszhalle, Barcelona everywhere. L'Auditori, Vienna Konzerthaus Pianist Magazine. nd

Career Highlights

• Performed “Yellow River Concerto” for Malaysian Royal Family at Kuala Lumpur aged 17

• First Prize, Brant International Piano Competition, 2007

• Silver Medal, Worshipful Company of Musicians, 2007

• First BBC Radio Interview, 2007

• Debut album ‘Di Xiao Presents’ released, 2008

• UK representative to the European Concert Halls Organisation (ECHO) Rising Star Series, 2008-2009

• Standing ovation Amsterdam Concertgebouw March 2009

• Named among the top ten up and coming Chinese pianists by International Piano Magazine, 2009

• Second album ‘Journey’ released 2011

• Performed live to 6M BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour listeners in 2011

• Representative to the China-Britain Youth Dialogue 2012: Young Leaders Forum at a Parliamentary Round Table discussion on Creative Industries

• Awarded Honorary Professorship by ShanXi University 2014

• Adjudicator for the 2014 Brant International Piano Competition

• Director of the BCU International Piano Academy 2014-