Zoe Shiu

about

Zoe Shiu is a violinist and educator based in the greater Los Angeles region. Born and raised in California, Zoe began studying piano at the age of five and violin at the age of seven. Her early years performing orchestral and chamber works at the Los Angeles Suzuki Institute gave inspiration to pursue a career in music. In December 2023 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and psychology from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she studied violin under the tutelage of Carla Trynchuk. Currently, Zoe is pursuing a Master of Music degree in violin performance at California State University Long Beach, studying with Moni Simeonov.

Zoe served as concertmaster for the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra and the Miami Music Festival Orchestra; as well as principal II for the Bob Cole Conservatory Symphony. She currently holds a fellowship with the California Young Artists Symphony in the greater Los Angeles region and a student position with the North State Symphony based in Chico, California. A chamber music enthusiast, Zoe has performed internationally in trios, quartets, and quintets. She was a member of the Bob Cole Conservatory University String Quartet from 2024-2025 and is currently the violinist of a piano quartet with Ariana Solotoff, Jocelyn Morales, and Lucas Schaefer.

Besides performing, Zoe seeks to inspire through her teaching. A registered Suzuki teacher, she is a violin instructor at FreshStart Music Studio in Irvine, California and at the Palos Verdes Music House in Palos Verdes, California. 

Finally, Zoe remains passionate about performance psychology and wellness. She has conducted and presented original research on musician perfectionism, self-compassion, and burnout, as well as on mental practice and memorization. Zoe seeks to apply her research to help performers combat anxiety, increase motivation, and support mental health. In addition to research, Zoe interns with Music360, a digital platform co-founded and directed by clarinetist Ixi Chen emphasizing musician entrepreneurship and wellbeing.

When not practicing scales, teaching violin, or analyzing data, Zoe enjoys traveling, puzzles, vegan baking, and origami.