A String of Successes

At an age when many college graduates are still wondering what they want to do in life, Xiang Gao says he has the job that he always dreamed about. As assistant professor of music at UD, he is sharing his skills with talented students and traveling the world performing the music that he loves.

When he began teaching violin and viola at the University in 2001, Gao was only 27 years old, the youngest faculty member in the Department of Music. But, by that time, the musician--whom The New York Times has described as "a rare and soulful virtuoso"--had nearly two decades of experience. His impressive résumé included solo performances before then-President George H. Bush and former Chinese President Li Xiannian.

Still, he says, when he arrived on campus that fall to begin his first job, "I was very nervous being around people who were much more experienced than I was." Very soon, he says, his colleagues "made me feel comfortable, and I want to do as much as I can to thank them for their support."

Born into a family of musicians, Gao began studying piano at age 6. Two years later, he switched to the violin, which he learned initially from his parents, professional violinists Tan and Zhiling. Eventually, Gao was selected to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, which he describes as the equivalent of New York's Juilliard School.

In 1999, and by then an accomplished performer, Gao arrived in the United States, where many of his relatives had been educated and some were living. He decided to study at the University of Michigan, he says, "to meet people and to learn about things other than music." Eventually, he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees, while becoming a Wolverine football fan.

But, the serious study of music remained the focus of his life.

"I loved performing, but I also wanted to teach," Gao says. "I was based in Chicago as a concert soloist and wanted to come to the East Coast and work at a university where there were good students. When I was invited to interview at the University of Delaware, I was impressed with the campus and also with my colleagues and the devotion of the students."

He says that while the number of string majors at UD was small, the number is growing and the students are dedicated.

"I think this is an exciting time for the string program in the Department of Music," Gao says. "It is building very rapidly. When I came here, I only had four upper string students. Now I have 14, and two of them are graduate students. I think something is working."

In addition to Gao's teaching and performing responsibilities, he devotes serious attention to recruiting. He says he believes his concert performances around the world also benefit the University by attracting accomplished students.

During the last two years, Gao has performed faculty recitals on the Newark campus and as a soloist with the Delaware and Newark symphonies.

It's more common, however, for him to finish his classes on Thursday, hop a flight that evening and be ready to rehearse for a weekend concert with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. In May, he performed by invitation at the prestigious Prague Spring International Music Festival, where he was the first violinist from China ever to be a featured soloist.

"I enjoy working with all levels of orchestras, from the community level to the recording orchestras," Gao says. "They present different challenges. With the more experienced musicians, I sometimes feel a bit more pressure in convincing them to perform in the same style with me. With the mid-level orchestras, I hope that my playing will help them experience a new aspect of the piece. But, in each case, we all have a good time."

Gao's educational activities extend beyond the music studio and concert hall stage. During the 2003 Winter Session, he and his wife, Renee Dong, led a UD study-abroad program to China.

Critical reviews of Gao's CD, Kind of Colorful, and his solo performances are sprinkled heavily with such comments as "brilliant," "dazzling," "spectacular violinist" and "exquisite tone." In 2002, he received the Established Music Fellowship Award from the Delaware Division of the Arts.

James Prodan, who joined UD in 2002 as chairperson of the music department, says Gao's talents serve the program well.

"Xiang Gao has done what many would say is impossible. He has quickly attracted a talented, hard-working class of students," Prodan says. "He is a warm, caring teacher and world-class performer, as his many performances around the world with significant orchestras and in prestigious venues attest. This combination is a 'one-two punch' that can't be beat. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our musical family."

The most satisfying experience, Gao says, "is to move an audience, to make someone's day, whether it be a fellow performer or an audience. That's why music means so much to me. I remember someone once told me, 'Remember, your audience may be hearing you for the first time or the last time, so do your best.' So, I help my students to do the best that they can, too." ?

--Ed Okonowicz, AS'69, '84M