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.

In addition to her performances in the United States, Jessica 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, and her versatile vocal repertoire includes opera, musical theater, and Chinese folk music. Jessica has also performed for Caesars Entertainment, showcasing her talent in a variety of settings.

Jessica Gu is not only a talented operatic soprano but also a passionate ambassador for cultural exchange. Recently, Jessica performed at the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C., the US Asian Fest in Virginia, and as a soprano soloist at the National AAPI Strong Conference 2024 in Santa Clara, California, Jessica played a significant role as an ambassador for the Chinese Cultural Festival in August. She recently appeared on DC News Live, where she discussed the Festival and showcased her vocal talents, highlighting her unique ability to sing both operatic and Chinese folk music.

As a second-generation Asian American, Jessica aspires to use her voice to bridge the cultures of the United States and China, fostering understanding and unity through her music. Her story is a testament to her extraordinary talent and dedication, and a reminder of how music and the arts can bring people together across borders.