Jonathan Wu

The youngest composer, Jonathan Wu, age 17, jokingly describes his charm to be “kind of all over the place.”

His devotion to writing music is anything but. Born in Shanghai, China, he moved with his family to Minnesota at the age of 12. Just a year ago Wu finished his composition, First Snowdrop for Solo Violin. It was premiered and recorded by violinist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, director of the Emerging Composers Intensive. The performance received rave reviews. Every musician and audience member was awed that this work was Jonathan’s Opus One. He described the experience to be “nothing short of a miracle.” His success convinced him to pursue a career in composition.

Jonathan dreams of writing a full-length orchestral work. Jonathan began studying the piano at age 4. The vast repertoire and brilliant virtuosity of the instrument continue to be a rich source of inspiration for his writing. In addition to music, Jonathan is an avid tennis fan who owns a large pink fluffy tennis ball signed by three of tennis’s top stars.