SECOND STAGE: Wen Xin | A Journey of Self Discovery | Graduating Student Project

This recital explores themes of love, growth, nostalgia, and self-discovery through a diverse selection of jazz standards, contemporary pop, and singer-songwriter repertoire. The program reflects both personal and musical development, moving between introspective ballads, classic jazz idioms, and modern storytelling.

The recital opens with I Look to You, performed by Whitney Houston and written by R. Kelly. This song conveys vulnerability and hope, setting the emotional tone for the evening. Similarly, Armor by Sara Bareilles explores resilience and inner strength, highlighting the importance of vulnerability as a form of empowerment.

Classic jazz standards form an essential part of the program. On the Sunny Side of the Street, composed by Jimmy McHugh, represents optimism and swing-era charm, while Satin Doll by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn showcases sophisticated jazz harmony and playful phrasing. One Note Samba by Antônio Carlos Jobim introduces Brazilian bossa nova influences, adding rhythmic contrast and stylistic variety to the program. These selections reflect an appreciation for jazz traditions and stylistic versatility.

The program also highlights deeply emotional ballads. My One and Only Love is a classic jazz ballad known for its lyrical phrasing and expressive melodic lines. Nothing Compares 2 U, written by Prince and famously performed by Sinéad O’Connor, conveys profound longing and emotional vulnerability. I Miss You by Akiko Yano continues this reflective atmosphere, emphasizing intimacy and subtle musical expression.

Contemporary repertoire brings a modern perspective to the recital. What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell reflects themes of identity and self-reflection, resonating with the transitional nature of a graduation recital. Like the Movies by Laufey blends jazz influences with contemporary songwriting, evoking nostalgia and cinematic romance.

The recital concludes with Here For It All by Mariah Carey, bringing the program full circle with a message of acceptance, growth, and embracing life’s experiences. Together, these selections illustrate a musical journey shaped by diverse influences, emotional storytelling, and artistic growth, marking both a personal and musical milestone.

Xin Wen is a jazz vocalist whose musical story began with a spark in early childhood. When she first encountered music through her kindergarten piano teacher, something within her immediately awakened. She begged her mother to let her study music—sometimes in tears—as though she had been naturally drawn to it from birth. By the second grade, she began formal piano training, which nurtured her sensitivity to sound and expression.

Years of dedicated piano study gradually opened a new door: singing. In high school she discovered how deeply she enjoyed using her voice, which led her to major in Popular Vocal Performance during her undergraduate years. Although she comes from a family with no musical background, her passion continued to grow, ultimately bringing her to the United States for graduate studies in jazz.
She chose the Longy School of Music because of the warm, supportive atmosphere she had heard about from friends. It sounded like a place filled with encouragement, kindness, and artistic openness—exactly the environment she hoped for as she began exploring American jazz more seriously. At Longy, she is pursuing Jazz Voice and shaping her sound with guidance from inspiring mentors.

Her primary voice teacher, Sara Bielanski—who teaches at both Longy and Berklee—has had a profound influence on her. Sara often reminds her that vocal development requires patience and time for the body to adjust. This philosophy reshaped her understanding of practice, teaching her that slowing down can sometimes lead to greater progress than pushing too hard. It also reignited her love for singing and deepened her musical curiosity.

She also studies with Hayley, a warm and charismatic teacher whose smile is as constant as her surprising background as a rock singer. In Hayley’s class, Jazz Ain’t Nothing But Soul, she learns score reading, band communication, and jazz repertoire in an atmosphere that feels joyful, creative, and welcoming—exactly the kind of environment that brings out her best.

One of her proudest achievements is performing her first solo recital at Longy, collaborating with a live band for the very first time. Before this, most of her performances in China involved backing tracks, making the experience of performing with instrumentalists both exciting and transformative. She also previously performed with the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra during a high school student concert, an early experience that taught her the importance of musical teamwork. Through ensemble playing, she learned that music is not just individual expression—it is a conversation built on communication, trust, and shared intention.

Receiving Longy’s half scholarship has allowed her to study and collaborate with musicians from around the world. A milestone in her journey was performing at Wally’s Jazz Club in Boston, where she experienced, for the first time in a foreign country, the recognition and applause of an audience. It was a moment filled with both newness and joy—an affirmation of her path.
Her vocal style is delicate, lyrical, and emotionally expressive, with a soft yet subtly magnetic tone. She deeply admires Mariah Carey, whose rich, powerful voice inspires her to continue strengthening her own through dedicated vocal training.

After graduation, she hopes to remain in the United States for at least a year to teach or perform, expanding her artistic experience while discovering the music that truly reflects who she is. Ultimately, she hopes to help others understand themselves through music—because she believes that musical taste is also a reflection of identity.