Xu Zhong was four when he first started to learn the violin with his father and nine when he took up the cello. He was first enrolled in the primary school of the Nanjing Arts Academy, and joined the “Nanjing Little Red Arts Troupe”. For both his High School and University studies he attended the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, learning cello under the tutelage of renowned cello instructor Zong Bai.

He later toured with the China Youth Symphony Orchestra, and in 2000 left to study abroad in Germany at the Mainz Conservatory of Music, from where he graduated with masters in cello performance and chamber music. His acclaimed personal graduation concert was held in 2004. In 2015, his alma mater, the Central Conservatory of Music invited him back as one of its most famous graduates to participate in a series of major events in celebration of the institution’s 75th anniversary.

Xu Zhong has been the cello principal of SCO since 2004. With the orchestra he has also toured the world not only as an ensemble player, but also as a soloist and lead player. He brings to performances a pure and incisive feel, rich in connotation and emotion.

He has been a committed professional cello teacher now for more than ten years, and has helped nurture a wealth of performing talent here in Singapore.