BIOGRAPHY
“Despite her young age, brand new addition, Chinese Violist Wanshu Qiu, already has a considerable pedigree in chamber music performance in the UK, bringing a warm, full tone, committed rhythmical playing and theatrical poise to the middle lines of the quartet. Although this was her first appearance with the group, her ensemble coordination, was sensitive and flawlessly confident.”
Chinese violist Wanshu Qiu brings together artistry, curiosity, and versatility - performing internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator across classical, jazz, and multimedia projects. Her playing is marked by virtuosity, imagination, and a deep desire to connect with audiences.
Wanshu’s performance career has taken her to festivals such as Lucerne, IMS Prussia Cove, Encuentro de Música Santander, Bowdoin, and most recently, as a Rising Star of the Edinburgh International Festival. As a soloist she has appeared with ensembles including the Manson Ensemble, Carme Ensemble, and London Contemporary Soloists. Her orchestral experience spans the Aurora Orchestra, Manchester Collective, the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, Nash Ensemble, and Ulster Orchestra, leading viola section under conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Mark Elder, Semyon Bychkov, and Elim Chan. In recognition of her artistry, she was featured on BBC Radio 3 and interviewed by UKVI about her musical journey.
Chamber music lies at the heart of Wanshu’s work. She is a member of the award-winning Kyan Quartet and Hiraeth Trio, ensembles that perform regularly on UK and international stages. They are current artists of the City Music Foundation and prize winners of the Harold Craxton Competition and the Royal Over-Seas League. Wanshu has collaborated with artists such as James Ehnes, Nicola Benedetti, Zakhar Bron, and the Aviv Quartet, and she continues to explore the rich possibilities of chamber music across traditions and genres.
Her versatility extends beyond classical performance: Wanshu has collaborated in theatre, jazz, and multimedia projects at the Manchester International Festival, Melbourne Arts Festival with Maxine Peake, London Jazz Festival with Alice Zawadzki, and with the acclaimed vocal ensemble VOCES8. She has commissioned work from young composers, also worked closely with dancers and cross-disciplinary artists in innovative projects worldwide.
Equally committed to the social impact of music, Wanshu has long been active in community engagement. From hospice and ICU performances to dementia-friendly festivals and work with Streetwise Opera, she believes deeply in music’s power to bring comfort, dignity, and joy. From 2022-2024 she held a Fellowship with the Royal Academy of Music’s Learning Programme in partnership with Wigmore Hall, further developing this commitment.
Born in Chengdu, China, Wanshu discovered the viola at the age of fifteen and soon found it to be her artistic voice. Her studies took her to the Royal Northern College of Music, where she graduated with First-Class Honours under the guidance of Susie Meszaros & Veit Hertenstein, before continuing at the Royal Academy of Music in London with Jon Thorne. Supported by full scholarships and bursaries, she completed both her Master’s degree and Professional Diploma, earning the Barbirolli Evelyn Rothwell Prize for outstanding studentship.
Wanshu is grateful to be supported by Jargar Strings and Talent Unlimited. She's proud to play on a viola made by herself in 2024, under the guidance of Stefan Peter Greiner.