A Letter from the Artistic Director
Dear Music Lovers,
Vienna, the eternal capital of music, has always stood for excellence and refinement. With the Blue Heron Charitable Orchestra, we carry that legacy forward in a spirit of innovation—offering a new way of experiencing classical performance, in which artistry and purpose are inseparably intertwined.
Our mission is to shape concerts that transcend performance itself—evenings where elegance, creativity, and compassion converge, and every note is not only celebrated but also transformed into hope for children in need.
At BHCO, we believe classical music must remain alive, daring, and relevant. That is why our programs are designed as experiences to be celebrated—encounters with brilliance and beauty that our audiences will be proud to remember—and prouder still to share.
It is my greatest joy to welcome you on this journey. Join us, celebrate with us, and discover anew the true power of music in Vienna—timeless, yet reinvented for today.
With warm regards from Vienna,
Ying Xu
Artistic Director & Conductor
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Beijing, Ying Xu has served as Artistic Director of the Heritage Chamber Music Series in Columbus, Georgia, and as Assistant Conductor for the Schwob Philharmonic, Schwob Contemporary Ensemble, CSU Opera Program, and Columbus Ballet. A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, she made her debut conducting the world premiere of Giuseppe Gallo-Balma’s Bacá with the Schwob Philharmonic and has led productions of La Finta Giardiniera, Guys and Dolls, and The Light in the Piazza. As a guest conductor, she has collaborated with the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts and the Eastern Festival Orchestra in Greensboro. In December 2024, she was invited to the Conductor Forum at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, where she conducted a production of The Savage Land, one of the most iconic Chinese operas.
As a guitarist, Ying has won 16 international competitions and performed extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America. During the pandemic, she also brought music to hospitals, schools, and underserved communities — an experience that deepened her conviction in music’s power to heal and connect. Her commitment is deeply personal: having survived a serious heart condition as a child and witnessing how music brought comfort to her father in his final days, she holds firmly to this belief: Where words fall short, music begins. Now based in Vienna, Ying has founded the Blue Heron Charitable Orchestra (BHCO), driven by her vision that classical music can inspire hope, connect souls, and create a shared space of sincerity and beauty — something the world needs now more than ever.
A Partnership for Good
Together with Kindernothilfe Österreich, Ying Xu and her orchestra are presenting a series of charity concerts where the beauty of music meets the power of compassion. Through these live and online events, audiences are invited to enjoy unforgettable musical evenings while directly supporting Kindernothilfe’s work for children in need.