By: Yuting Zhou
Seattle-based pianists Dr. Boya Li and Dr. Xi Lu were featured guest artists at an international cultural concert presented by Global Art & Culture USA on May 2, 2026, at the Steinway Piano Gallery. The event brought together musicians from across the United States in a program centered on artistic collaboration and cultural exchange through music. The concert was formally attended and recognized by H.E. Ambassador Tiffany Lancaster, who holds Special Consultative Status to the United Nations and serves as a Mayor-appointed Commissioner in Washington, D.C. The program featured a wide range of repertoire and performers from different artistic backgrounds, reflecting the event’s focus on international cultural exchange through music.
Known for their international performance backgrounds and artistic versatility, Dr. Li and Dr. Lu have established an active presence through performance, education, and cross-cultural artistic engagement. Although trained in different areas of piano study, the two musicians share a long-standing artistic partnership shaped by ensemble experience, musical dialogue, and a shared commitment to bringing classical music to broader audiences. Their collaborative work reflects both technical coordination and a mutual artistic understanding developed through years of performing together in a variety of concert settings.
Dr. Boya Li is a pianist, educator, and adjudicator whose artistic activities span North America and Asia, including performances connected with international cultural initiatives and public arts programs. Alongside her active concert career, she is also deeply engaged in music education, with students earning recognition and awards in numerous regional and international competitions. Her work reflects an ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and the cultivation of young musicians. As both a performer and an educator, she continues to advocate for broader accessibility to classical music through teaching, community engagement, and public performances.
Dr. Xi Lu has built a diverse artistic career as a pianist, with performance experience spanning solo repertoire, chamber music, opera productions, musical theatre, and interdisciplinary artistic projects in both the United States and China. Known for her versatility and expressive stage presence, she has appeared in a wide range of collaborative and solo settings while continuing to engage audiences through performance and music education. Her artistic interests span multiple performance formats, allowing her to collaborate with musicians from diverse artistic backgrounds and disciplines.
At the Washington, D.C., concert, the duo performed “Spain” by Chick Corea, arranged by Jacob Koller for piano four hands. Their performance combined rhythmic energy, technical precision, and close musical interaction, demonstrating a high level of ensemble coordination and artistic communication. The performance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, with several attendees commenting on the duo’s strong stage chemistry and dynamic presentation. One audience member described the performance as “extremely energetic and engaging,” while another commented that the two pianists performed “with such natural coordination and musical understanding that they almost sounded like a single performer.”
As internationally active musicians based in the United States, Dr. Boya Li and Dr. Xi Lu continue to engage audiences through performance, teaching, and collaborative artistic projects across diverse cultural and musical settings. Beyond their concert activities, both artists remain active in music education and community engagement, working with students and audiences from a wide range of backgrounds. Through their ongoing artistic work, they continue to promote cross-cultural exchange and contribute to the growing international presence within American classical music.
Authored by Dr. Yuting Zhou
Dr. Yuting Zhou is a pianist, scholar, translator, and music critic whose work examines performance through a critical lens.
