Oliver (Zihuan) Xu, a 16-year-old violinist began playing at age six and currently studies under Marko Dreher. He was accepted into the RCM Phil and Eli Taylor Academy in 2021 and has participated in masterclasses with renowned violinists including Jonathan Crow, Barry Shiffman, Mimi Zweig, Sibbi Bernhardsson, Martin Beaver, and Ida Kavafian.
In 2025, Oliver received third prize in the Canadian Music Competition age 15-18 Strings category, where he was invited to attend the Gathering with the Stars 2025 after winning first prize in the age 15-18 Strings provincial category.
Oliver recently received the OCO Youth Engagement Scholarship for the second year in a row, joining the orchestra for the 2025-26 season after previously playing in the 2024-25 season. In addition to this, he is also a member of the Toronto Youth Symphony Orchestra, and has been since 2024. Oliver spent the summer of 2024 at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, studying under Nelson Lee.
In 2023, he secured first prizes in the Canadian Music Competition and the Phil and Eli Taylor Academy Concerto Competition, alongside multiple awards at the Peel Music Festival. He also won first prize in the 2021 OYMI 16 and under strings category.
Oliver is also the violinist of the Inicio Trio. In 2025, they won first prize in the age 15-18 chamber category of the Canadian Music Competition. Additionally, they placed first in the OMFA Provincial Finals as well as in local festivals. In 2023, they won first prize in the age 15 chamber music group in the Canadian Music Competition, various awards in the Peel and Kiwanis music festivals, and the OMFA Provincial Finals.
In addition to music, Oliver enjoys reading, photography, travelling, and math.