About

Biography

Xin Zhou is a soprano and voice teacher currently pursuing a DMA in Vocal Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studies with Dr. Ollie Watts Davis. Her cognate field is Choral Music, advised by Dr. Andrea Solya.

Xin holds an MA in Music (Voice) and a BA in Musicology (Voice) from Beijing Normal University, where she studied with Prof. Li Wang. Her extensive training includes master classes with renowned artists such as Dr. LaToya Lains, Dr. Donald Simonson, Barbara Hill Moores, Kenneth Bozeman, and many others.

Performance Experience

Xin has performed leading roles in opera productions including Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro (Keystone Opera, 2025), Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (Milano Kammer Oper, 2024), and Juliette in scenes from Roméo et Juliette (University of Illinois, 2024). She has also performed scenes as Marschallin from Der Rosenkavalier.

Her choral and solo work includes performances with the University of Illinois Graduate Choral Studio, Philharmonia Orchestra and Choirs, Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, and Chamber Singers. She has performed works by Bach, Haydn, Bruckner, Fauré, and contemporary composers including Jocelyn Hagen and Christopher Tin.

Teaching

Currently serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Voice Area at the University of Illinois, Xin teaches weekly individual applied voice lessons to undergraduate music-major students, leads studio classes, and prepares students for recitals. She has been teaching private voice lessons since 2015, successfully preparing students for choir, high school, university, and summer program auditions.

Awards & Recognition

  • 2025 Finalist, Krannert Debut Artist Award, University of Illinois
  • 2025 Finalist, Concerto Competition, University of Illinois
  • 2024 3rd Place, Advanced Classical Treble, NATS Central Region
  • 2021 3rd Place, Global Finals; 2nd Place, China Division; 1st Place, Guangdong Division, Voice Artist Group, American Virtuoso International Music Competition
  • 2021 Honorable Mention, Bel Canto Graduate Division, The 7th Chinese Vocal Peafowl Competition

Research

Xin's doctoral research focuses on Joseph Marx's Lieder für hohe Stimme und Klavier. Her previous research includes essays on gender and power in Irish keening, urban alienation in Taeko Ōnuki's music, and her master's thesis on Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs.