UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State School of Music alumnus Alex Wu has been selected to participate in the New World Symphony this summer. Wu, a Taiwanese American cellist raised in Philadelphia, has been recognized by the Baltimore Sun for his "poised and polished presentation" and brings a wealth of experience as a recitalist, chamber musician and orchestral performer.
Wu graduated from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, where he studied under the guidance of cellists Kim Cook, Jon Dexter and Alan Stepansky. His musical journey includes being a recipient of the 2021 Penn State Brewster Music Grant and making his debut with the Warminster Symphony in 2010. Since then, he has performed as a soloist with several symphony orchestras, including the Lansdowne, Old York, and Southeastern Pennsylvania symphony orchestras.
As a chamber musician, Wu has showcased his talent across the United States, South America, Europe and Asia, collaborating with various esteemed ensembles. He also has been invited to perform at notable music festivals such as the Caramoor International Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, Manchester Music, and the Music Academy of the West. His orchestral experience includes serving as the associate principal for the Penn State Philharmonic and performing as principal cello for the Peabody Symphony and the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. Additionally, he has engaged with the Baltimore and Virginia Symphony Orchestras, the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and the Pacific Music Festival Academy Orchestra.
Starting in the fall of 2024, Wu will join the cello section of the New World Symphony in Miami. The New World Symphony's mission is to prepare graduates of music programs for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world. The orchestra consists of recent university and conservatory graduates who are placed in a focused environment to develop their artistry while working as young professionals. Each year, the New World Symphony conducts auditions in major cities across the United States, requiring applicants to prepare repertoire and excerpts that closely resemble professional orchestral audition standards.
"I am particularly excited about the opportunity to perform works such as Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra with the New World Symphony," Wu said. "It is an honor to join such a prestigious group and continue developing my craft in such a dynamic environment."