Ellie Xuan, 12, is currently a precollege student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under Dr. Chia-Lin Yang. She developed an interest in piano at age 7, during the pandemic. When she saw Ellie copy a girl on TV playing the piano with her hands behind her back, Ellie’s mom recognized her coordination and musical potential and decided she should begin piano lessons. Ellie quickly demonstrated an exceptional learning pace and, within three years, she earned the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Grade 8 Performance Certificate with Distinction after only three months preparation. She has won awards in many competitions, including first prize at KAMSA’s US Open Piano Competition (Showcase Category), New Star International Music Competition, and a top prize at the United States International Music Competition (USIMC) and Silicon Valley Open Doors International piano competitions. Ellie and her family reside in San Ramon, California.