Chen Xinyu

First (Open) National Chinese Music Competition 2016

First (Youth) National Chinese Music Competition 2014

First (Junior) National Chinese Music Competition 2012

Tell us more about your music competition journey.

Besides winning 3 consecutive first prizes in the National Chinese Music Competition (NCMC), I also won the first prize in the Youth Category at the Junior Golden Bell Pipa Competition 2019 held in China and I was invited to perform at the Prize Winners’ Concert. A few other favourite memories of my music journey were playing the pipa concerto “Apsaras on the Silk Road” accompanied by the SCO at the SNYCO and SCO annual combined orchestras concert – Dauntless Spirit 2018, while serving as the Pipa principal of SNYCO.

What are you currently busy with?

I am a rising second-year student at University College London studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics. It’s turning out to be a very fulfilling degree because it perfectly aligns with my passion to serve in the public sector. A highlight has to be helping out as a research assistant for my professor on his new book on public economics! Definitely a childhood dream. In general, I love having a space to express my thoughts, so writing for the school’s award-winning economics magazine is a nice hobby too.

Outside of academics, I’ve dabbled in a few artistic activities on campus too! A few of my favourite memories were forged when I acted in a play with the Singapore Society and recorded a podcast discussing blockbuster biopics with Film Society. But most of all, I love connecting with other Chinese instrumentalist friends in London and jamming together! It’s nice to know that Pipa is still a constant in my life even when I’m so many miles away from home, and that is why I still dearly love my Pipa, music and art in general!

What are your key takeaways from the competition experience?

Looking back, those were formative years for the person I am today. Those 13-hours days of practice leading up to the competition ingrained in me the ethos of putting my best foot forward regardless of what I do. Music is really rather fun; there’s a certain meditative joy in tirelessly honing my craft meticulously. Most of all, it taught me to be grateful; I am but an amalgamation of everyone who has supported me all this while, from my Pipa tutor Liu Yan, to my friends and family. It is all I can do to express this gratitude and pay it forward through service.

How did you steer towards your current career choice?

I will be serving in the public sector upon graduation as part of my scholarship bond. My love for public service and music are intertwined, actually. During my experience at The Purple Symphony—an inclusive orchestra composed of musicians with and without disabilities—I was truly moved by how music had the ability to provide a safe space for people-with-disabilities to connect with the audience in an intimate manner. This memory serves to engrave service as one of the core values I hold dear to my heart, and I knew that I wanted to serve in the public sector from then on.