We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chandra Xu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chandra below.

Chandra, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

Kindness isn’t just something we do; it’s how we live and connect with each other and the universe. The kindness I’ve felt most deeply hasn’t come from one single person or moment, but from a steady flow of compassion and care from my family, teachers, friends, mentors, strangers, and even myself.

My family’s constant support and the sacrifices they’ve made give me a foundation that helps me handle life’s challenges and reminds me of how powerful love is in shaping our lives. I’ve been lucky to have teachers who see beyond the surface and help me grow in safe spaces. My friends always hold space for me, sharing laughs, deep conversations, and moments that mean so much. I’ve also felt the kindness of strangers in fleeting moments, like when two men in New York City helped me carry heavy congas to a performance venue, a woman on the subway brushed off the biggest cockroach from my leg, and a business owner covered the cost of my violin strings after an expensive repair.

Lately, I’ve been learning to be kinder to myself. I’ve realized that the compassion I give others is something I rarely extend to myself. Learning to be gentle with my imperfections, to rest without feeling guilty, to trust my journey — it’s a work in progress, but it’s been changing how I navigate the world. All these people and moments create a safe haven for my heart.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a passionate pianist and composer, I’m deeply inspired by and thrive on the connections we share with each other and the world. I started playing classical piano at age three, and since then, my piano journey has taken me across the U.S. for solo performances in venues like Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater. I also play violin, having performed in the Colorado All-State Orchestra, at The Wolfsonian, and as principal second violinist in the Front Range Youth Symphony. During the COVID lockdown, I started composing and, soon after, film scoring.

I double-majored in Piano Performance and Journalism at New York University, and recently completed my master’s there in Screen Scoring. During my time at NYU, I worked with so many incredible musicians, composers, and multimedia creators who inspire me every day. I fell in love with chamber music, branched out into new genres like big band, jazz, and musical theater, and launched my own business.

Through my business, I offer music performance, composition, film scoring, sound design, notation, and teaching services. Collaboration is at the heart of my work — I truly enjoy bringing a creator’s vision to life through music and helping others as they explore and navigate their own creative journeys.

Recently, I’ve scored a video game, several short films and animations, and premiered scores and new pieces by living composers. Hearing some of my own compositions recorded by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra was an unforgettable experience.

In my music, I love combining orchestral textures, strong melodies, acoustic sounds, and extended techniques to create immersive soundscapes. I admire my adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges, always excited to learn and grow in this beautiful art form and evolving field.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

So much of what makes art meaningful to me is rooted in connection, whether it’s with others or with myself. There’s something incredibly powerful about sharing our inner worlds through art, letting us express emotions and experiences that feel universal. It’s like having a wordless conversation that speaks directly to the heart.

The creative process itself is also deeply fulfilling. I love exploring new ideas, experimenting with different mediums, and pushing boundaries. Each project feels like a journey of discovery, revealing insights that keep shaping how I see the world.

Art often acts as a mirror, showing me parts of myself I wasn’t fully aware of. Through creating, I learn more about who I am and what truly moves me. It feels like a constant dialogue between my inner and outer worlds, where creating brings clarity and healing to emotions or experiences I may not have fully understood before.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At its heart, my creative journey is all about exploring and expressing the connections between people, emotions, and the world around us. Music and storytelling have always felt like two of the most powerful ways to tap into these deeper relationships. I see creativity as a way to inspire a sense of shared humanity by giving shape to the elusive — our feelings, experiences, insights — and making them tangible, whether through music, words, or other forms of art. Art has this amazing ability to bridge gaps between people, cultures, and experiences, and I’m always drawn to exploring the invisible threads that connect us, revealing both the beauty and complexity of our inner worlds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chandraxu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandraxu.music/