"Sounds of Music" Children's Concert Series: Xai

More information on this concert series is on our "Sounds of Music" Concert Series page.

Xai (pronounced ZAY) is an up-and-coming violinist and vocalist. Born into a family of musicians, she began singing when she was 4 years old in her church choir and added the violin when she was 11 years old. Xai began violin studies in the Detroit studio of Michelle May and continued with Hai Xin Wu of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She received additional training through musical programs with Cass Tech High School, the Sphinx Organization, the Arts League of Michigan, Her&Her Music, Wayne State University, and other private coaching. She has performed in venues all over Detroit, including the House of Bastet, 5E Gallery, Virgil H. Carr Center, Orchestra Hall, and the Fox Theatre. She has performed with such nationally and internationally renowned musicians as Regina Carter, Al McKenzie, Marcus Belgrave, Marion Hayden, and NUCLASSICA. Xai's musical inspirations include India.Arie, Lauryn Hill, and Black Violin. She has received such prestigious awards as the Theodore Edward Harris, Jr. Scholarship and Achievement Award, Michigan Youth Arts Festival Nominated Soloist and Small Ensemble, and WSU/DSO Scholarship Award. Xai is currently a student at Wayne State University majoring in Music Education with a minor in Mathematics. She is a proud alum of Cass Technical High School and Detroit Country Day. She enjoys volunteering with her church, including mission work around Detroit, in the Bahamas, and in South Africa.

Xai will present a program of Jazz, R&B; and Hip-Hop and will be backed by three talented Wayne State University student musicians: Kevin Bausley on piano, Eric Childress II on drums and John Leavell on bass.