BIOGRAPHY

Young Steinway Artist David Xinkai Xia is a rising sophomore at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Curious to explore the palette of emotions that music brings, he began his piano journey at the age of seven.

 

David studied classical piano with professor Corey Hamm of the University of British Columbia. He has also received masterclasses by Steinway Artists Gary Graffman, Ilana Vered, Hans-Peter Stenzl, and Volker Stenzl, as well as by Wolfgang Wagenhäuser and Tony Yike Yang.

 

Throughout his classical music career, David has appeared twice with the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra, the first of which being his orchestral debut at aged ten and the latter being part of NWSO’s season programme. He was also invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.

 

David is also a devoted jazz musician. He has led his own combo, the Neapolitan Tritone, which focused on classical-jazz fusion and arrangements. He studied jazz piano under Steinway Artist and seven-time Juno nominee John Stetch. David has also appeared on stage at the prestigious Smalls Jazz Club in New York City for jam sessions. 

 

In May 2023, David hosted a cumulative two-hour concert called Cold Duck Time that featured Broadway, classical, and jazz programmes with his friends. 

 

Besides piano, David also played First French Horn at the Senior Concert Band at St. George’s School in Vancouver, BC.

 

Reciprocating his love for music back to the community that helped foster this passion, David founded and was President of Musicians Beyond Barlines Society (MBBL), a registered not-for-profit dedicated to spreading the strength and beauty of music. To date, MBBL has raised over $12,000 for the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and BC Children’s Hospital.