Mengfei Xu, piano • Alumni Recital

Born in Dalian, China, Mengfei Xu was admitted to the pre-college program at Shenyang Conservatory of Music at age twelve. Xu earned performance degrees from Xinghai Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College, and UNC Greensboro. Currently, Xu is completing her graduate studies at Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Her primary teachers include Andrew Willis (piano and historical keyboards), Charis Dimaras (piano), James O’Donnell (organ), Carole Terry (organ), Craig Cramer (organ), André Lash (organ), Marya Fancey (organ), and Jean Radice (organ and harpsichord). Her doctoral dissertation entitled “Organ Influences on Selected French Piano Works from the 1880s to the 1920s (2021)” is available on ProQuest. As a performer, Xu holds a particular interest in compositions written by female and underappreciated composers. As a soloist, Xu performed piano concertos with Shenzhen Philharmonic Orchestra, Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra, and UNCG Symphony Orchestra. As an organist, Xu performed in Greater Greensboro Chapter of American Guild of Organists (AGO) organ recital in 2016. She was awarded numerous scholarships from multiple organizations, including 2016 Richard VanSciver Church Music Scholarship by Metropolitan Music Ministries, 2017 Montréal Organ Festival Young Organist Scholarship by Royal Canadian College of Organists, 2018 AGO National Convention Young Organist Scholarship, and 2022 Charles Ives Prize for outstanding organ student by Yale School of Music. As an active chamber musician, Xu has been working with instrumentalists and vocalists for two decades. She has served as staff pianist for Bennett College Choir and voice studios from 2017 to 2020, multiple voice competitions and auditions, and was recognized with outstanding vocal accompanist awards.