Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Zhu.
Hi Lily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Journey
I first picked up the violin at the age of four and a half in China. At the beginning, it was just a childhood interest — until I winning the gold prize at my province’s competition (where I got a great violin as the prize) and several other awards, my parents realized I might have a special gift. That was the moment the violin became more than a hobby; it became my calling.
When it came time for college, I chose the professional path and enrolled at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music. There, I pushed myself relentlessly—earning the national scholarship twice, placing in numerous competitions, and even winning at the 2014 International String Competition in Hong Kong. Yet I wanted more. I wanted to test myself on a bigger stage, especially after realizing there was still a gap between me and those who had been on the professional track since early childhood.
After graduation, I set my sights overseas. I earned a full scholarship and graduate assistantship at Central Michigan University’s College of Music. Two years later, still hungry to grow, I applied to Michigan State University’s doctoral program — again earning a full scholarship and fellowship. Four years of intense study followed, culminating in a perfect 4.0 GPA, multiple orchestra auditions won, and roles as concertmaster and member of the Midland Symphony Orchestra and Jackson Symphony Orchestra.
Then came the moment every lifelong student faces: Graduation.
Suddenly, without the structure of school, I felt… unmoored. I explored other paths — event coordinator at an art gallery, substitute, internship of an institutional gifts project of Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and lead teacher at different childcare facilities — but every step away from the violin only made me miss it more.
That’s when I decided to return—not just as a violinist or teacher, but as a distinct voice, ready to share my story and open more people’s eyes to the beauty of the violin world. I began producing violin-related content in both Chinese and English on platforms like WeChat, RedNote, TikTok, and Facebook. I started my own violin studio from scratch after moving to Jackson, MI. The first year, I earned only $600. By the second year, it was $600 a month — and growing. Today, I have my own website, followers of over 3,000, and a studio filled with loyal students.
I create customized study plans for every learner, listen to their goals, and guide them with the same tips and strategies that shaped my own journey. My students value my post-lesson summaries, which keep them focused and motivated throughout the week. Over 8 years of teaching in every format imaginable — from online to in-person, beginners to advanced — I’ve discovered my greatest strength: helping beginners start strong and advanced players stand out. Many of my students have gone on to join prestigious groups like the Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestra and the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony.
Today, other than my private studio in Jackson, MI, I also teach at Expressions Music Academy in Novi and serve as an Ambassador Tutor on Superprof.com (an online learning platform). I’ve built lasting relationships with families, launched parent-student learning groups, hosted free weekly Q&A sessions, and written a weekly newsletter with practice tips and guidance. I’ve even given free solo recitals in Jackson and Lansing in June, 2025, combining organ and violin works to share the beauty of classical music with the community.
Along the way, I’ve connected with inspiring small-business founders through the Michigan Chinese Founders group, including Greenie Gai — a real estate agent, whose introduction led to this feature.
My journey is still unfolding, but one thing hasn’t changed since that four-year-old first touched a violin: every step, every challenge, every note has made me stronger. I am a violinist, a teacher, a content creator — and I’m just getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest challenges as a violinist is something you can see just by looking at my hand—I have a small hand, and a very short pinky, barely 5cm long. If you’ve ever played an instrument like piano, guitar, or violin, you know how much finger length matters. That tiny stretch between the thumb and pinky can make a big difference in your ability to play. For violinists, long fingers mean easier reach; for me, every tenth or position shift felt like a full-on athletic stretch. Playing tenths or octave shifts meant pushing my fingers to their absolute limit, and I had to spend far more time than others training my reach and flexibility.
However—there’s always a “however” in a good story—I refused to see it as something that would hold me back. Instead, I turned it into my signature. I began creating social media content specifically for musicians with shorter fingers, sharing practice tips, exercises, and encouragement. One of my videos, teaching short-pinky players how to tackle tenths, gained over 15,000 views and brought me more than 150 new followers from just that one post.
Now, people know me not only as a violinist, but as someone who’s turned a physical limitation into a strength—offering practical advice and proving that even a short pinky can play great music.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is really my personal brand—LilyZhuViolin—and it’s the heart of everything I do. I perform, I teach, and I create social media contents all centered around the violin. Right now, I offer pre-recorded lessons, one-on-one private lessons, collaboration opportunities, and social media content partnerships.
What truly sets me apart isn’t just the music—it’s my way of reflecting, creating, and constantly growing. I’m a violinist with short fingers, especially a short pinky, which many would see as a limitation. But I turned it into my signature. I create practical, encouraging contents for players with the same challenge, showing that you can still play beautifully no matter your hand size.
Beyond that, I bring over 20 years of stage experience—as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra player, including holding titled positions in several orchestras. With more than 8 years of teaching experience, I’ve discovered my greatest strength as an educator: spotting each student’s potential and designing a customized learning plan that helps beginners start strong and advanced players truly stand out.
I’m especially proud that many of my students have gone on to join their dream ensembles, such as the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Three Rivers People’s Symphony Orchestra. At the end of the day, my brand is about music, growth, and helping people discover just how far they can go—with the right guidance and a little courage to turn challenges into strengths.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, finding a mentor is a lot like finding the right job — the company interviews you, but you’re also choosing them. It’s a two-way relationship. When I look for a mentor, I rely a lot on instinct. It’s very similar to making a friend or even dating — there’s always a dealbreaker.
Of course, degrees and achievements can show that a mentor has mastered their craft, but I believe that’s not the only thing to look for. There’s a saying in Chinese,”做事先做人” （Before doing things, first be a good person). I think a great mentor should not only teach you the technique but also guide you as a person.
What has worked well for me is trusting my gut. I pay attention to whether I truly connect with their teaching style, and whether I feel supported and inspired through the learning process. A mentor should be someone who helps you grow both in skill and in character — and when you find that, the learning journey becomes so much more meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lilyzhuviolin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilyzhuviolin?igsh=MXc0YWV6azc1M2Mzdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19gNMthxxk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-zhu-164568252/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@5cmviolin?_t=ZP-8ylVEgHyIak&_r=1
