Recently, Asian pianist Xuting Gao was formally appointed Regional Director for the Western United States of the 2026 "Shining Stars" U.S.–China Youth Cultural and Artistic Exchange. Beginning next spring, she will assume full responsibility for public outreach and contestant selection across the western region, marking a significant expansion of her artistic career from performance and pedagogy into the domain of international cultural exchange.

The "Shining Stars" program is a high-profile cultural exchange initiative produced by Zhejiang Radio and Television Group (ZRTG), one of China’s most influential mainstream media organizations. As a provincial-level broadcasting group headquartered in Hangzhou, ZRTG operates a comprehensive media network that covers television, radio, film, and new media platforms. It oversees channels such as Zhejiang Satellite TV—widely recognized for its high ratings and influential cultural programming—as well as multiple specialized cultural and educational outlets, positioning itself as a leading force in China’s media and cultural communication landscape.

In 2025, under this authoritative framework, the "Shining Stars" program staged multiple performances across North America, bringing nearly 1,500 young participants to the stage. The initiative has established itself as a major platform for artistic exchange between Chinese and American youth, strengthening cultural dialogue and broadening international perspectives. Gao’s involvement in the program is expected to infuse the project with renewed professional vigor, ensuring both artistic quality and educational depth.

Artistic bridge: expanding the mission from performance to cultural exchange
The global finale of the “Shining Stars” International Cultural and Arts Week is held annually in the Zhejiang Radio and Television Group’s main studio, and gathers talented youth from New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, and the Yangtze River Delta region of China. The program has evolved into a major festival of cross-cultural artistic exchange: participants not only perform but also take part in cultural study tours in China.

The program’s performances cover five categories—vocal music, instrumental music, modeling, dance, and comprehensive talent. Participants are afforded opportunities to visit Zhejiang University, the Alibaba campus, and the China National Tea Museum, among other sites, thereby gaining a comprehensive experience of both China’s traditional culture and its integration with contemporary technology.

Xuting Gao’s appointment as Western U.S. Regional Director reflects the organizers’ recognition of her professional competence and broadened cultural perspective. In this role she will be responsible for publicity, preliminary auditions, and candidate selection in the U.S. West, a set of duties that requires aesthetic judgment, organizational and coordination skills, and ability in cross-cultural communication.



Festival Training: The Foundation of Artistic Direction at The Magnolia International Music Festival

In July 2024, Gao was invited to serve as a collaborative pianist for the Hangzhou division of The Magnolia International Music Festival. This professional engagement has provided a solid foundation for her current work in coordinating international cultural-exchange activities. collaborative pianists in major music competitions play a central role: in addition to providing high-caliber piano accompaniment for vocal and instrumental contestants, they offer pre-competition artistic guidance and rehearsal support. An accomplished collaborative pianist must demonstrate outstanding musicality, the ability to attend simultaneously to multiple focal demands, and a combination of creativity and empathy.

The Magnolia International Music Festival ranks among China’s premier music competitions and operates under the principles of fairness, authority, professionalism, innovation, and pluralism. The festival engages distinguished industry experts—such as Ying Wu, Dean of the Piano Department at Central Conservatory of Music, and Fang Qiong, Dean of the vocal music department at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music—as jurors, thereby attesting to its professional standards and rigorous requirements. Gao’s experience on this exacting platform has given her an in-depth understanding of process management and quality control for large-scale artistic events.

International recognition: designated Young Artist of The Asia International Music Association

In August of this year, Gao received further international recognition when she was officially designated a "Young Artist" by The Asia International Music Association. This honor carries substantial weight and signifies authoritative acknowledgment of her artistic achievements.

The selection process for this designation is highly selective; Gao’s inclusion indicates strong endorsement of both her technical proficiency and her potential. As a signed artist, she will benefit from significant promotional resources: her solo performances will be featured in a dedicated program on the major Asian classical-music platform "Pu Luo You Sheng," enabling direct exposure to an international audience of core listeners and industry professionals.

Moreover, this designation elevates her professional role in concrete terms. She will represent the Association as an adjudicator for international competitions and as an instructor of master classes, thereby transitioning from performer to an influential artistic leader. This recognition not only affirms her individual accomplishments but also brings important international resources and credibility to her leadership of the 2026 "Shining Stars" initiative.

Cultural integration: an artistic perspective weaving tradition and modernity

A notable feature of Gao’s artistry is her integration and creative use of Chinese traditional cultural elements. She frequently performs works with a Chinese aesthetic and appears in traditional dress for concerts—an artistic practice that aligns closely with her mission to promote U.S.–China cultural exchange.

In her forthcoming work, she plans to integrate classical music and Chinese cultural signifiers—such as HanFu dress—into the formation of a cultural collective or club, creating an inclusive platform for exchange among artists from diverse backgrounds. This concept resonates with scenes from the "Shining Stars" program, in which children recite Chinese poetry bilingually and confidently walk the runway in Chinese-style attire.

Producer Huangfu Junjie of the "Shining Stars" program and a host at Zhejiang Television has stated, "We hope that children on stage will function not merely as performers but as cultural ambassadors and transmitters of friendship." Gao’s philosophy of cultural integration aligns closely with this vision; her artistic practice exemplifies the value of cross-cultural dissemination.



Outlook: multiple roles and a commitment to cultural ambassadorship
As the 2026 "Shining Stars" program approaches, Gao will assume a composite role that includes performer, educator, and international arts organizer. Her professional focus is increasingly directed toward fostering transnational and cross-cultural artistic collaboration.
Gao has stated, "Through ‘Shining Stars," I hope not only to select young people with artistic potential but also to ignite their curiosity about and respect for diverse cultures. Music and HanFu are only a starting point; the ultimate goal is to establish a sustainable, inclusive ecosystem for cultural exchange and mutual learning."When she commences the next round of regional auditions in the western United States in March next year, she will be engaging not simply with talented young faces but with nascent sparks that—if nurtured—may illuminate the future.