About me

Jessica Gu, a Chinese American soprano from Alexandria, Virginia, stands out as a driven and accomplished opera singer. Her deep commitment to her art has led her to perform notable roles and achieve significant milestones in her career. Jessica began her formal music education at the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance. At Eastman, she notably portrayed the titular role of Euridice in Orfeo ed Euridice with the Eastman Opera Theater. She further honed her craft by completing a Master’s degree in Voice at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Throughout her journey, Jessica has taken on several prominent opera roles, including La Fée in Cendrillon with the Chicago Summer Opera, Nuria in Ainadamar at the Jacobs School of Music Opera and Ballet Theater, and Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Aquilon Music Festival. In addition to her operatic achievements, Jessica has showcased her vocal abilities as the soprano soloist in Mozart's Coronation Mass and Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major.

Jessica made her professional debut with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra as a soprano soloist in Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2023. Her exceptional talent has earned her numerous accolades, including Second Place Regional in the Water Cube Cup Overseas Young Adult Chinese Song Competition in 2013, where she performed at the Water Cube Center, an Honorable Mention in the National YoungArts Competition in 2016, and the Maryland Lyric Opera Prize in 2021. Jessica has participated in renowned coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl’s masterclass and has performed scenes from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale as Norina at Indiana University. Her extensive performance history includes singing at prestigious venues such as the David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center in 2018 and recurring performances at the DMV Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, most recently on the stage of George Mason University.

Jessica is a versatile performer. Not only does she excel in opera, but she also loves performing musical theater and Chinese folk music, improvising, and composing. She is a well-known performer in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, frequently appearing on stages across the region and captivating local audiences with her artistry. In addition to her performances in the United States, she has also made a mark internationally. She recently performed for Kai Fang University in Shanghai, China, where she also taught a masterclass. She is fluent in Mandarin, further enriching her repertoire and outreach. Jessica has also performed for Caesars Entertainment, demonstrating her talent in a variety of settings.

Jessica Gu is not only a talented operatic soprano but also a dedicated ambassador for cultural exchange. Recently, she has performed at prestigious events such as the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., the US Asian Fest in Virginia, and as a soprano soloist at the National ACE AAPI Strong Conference 2024 in Santa Clara, California. She also served as a key representative figure at the Chinese Cultural Festival 2024. During a recent appearance on DC News Live, Jessica discussed the Festival and showcased her vocal abilities, demonstrating her unique skill in performing both operatic and Chinese folk music. Recently, she performed at a Travel Enterprise Company event and made her debut at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., performing with China's Wuliangye Company and sharing the stage with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra members.

Upcoming, Jessica will be performing at the Dulles Expo Center for the Vietnamese Festival in January, showcasing her incredible versatility and expanding influence as an artist. She will also perform at a Lunar New Year event for Deloitte Company, further cementing her reputation as a sought-after performer for both cultural and corporate events.

As a second-generation Asian American, Jessica is deeply committed to using her voice to bridge the cultures of the United States and China, promoting understanding and unity through her music. Her journey reflects her extraordinary talent and dedication, reminding us of the power of music and the arts to connect people across cultural boundaries.