Yoyo Wu, Percussion

Meet Yoyo

Yoyo performs on Show 475.

Yoyo Wu (percussion), 16, is from San Diego, California and attends Canyon Crest Academy. She is recognized for her exceptional versatility on marimba, percussion, and piano. Featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Yoyo began her musical journey at the age of six with piano before expanding her artistry to include percussion and marimba, where she continues to captivate audiences with her expressive performances.

In the summer of 2025, Yoyo was among the outstanding young American instrumentalists in the National Youth Orchestra (NYO2), performing at Carnegie Hall and making their European debut at the Edinburgh International Festival under the baton of Rafael Payare. Earlier in the summer, she won first place in the high school division of the Great Plains International Marimba Competition as the youngest medalist. In May 2025, she earned recognition as a scholarship winner from the San Diego Musical Merit Foundation. She also won the Best Contemporary Award at the 2025 La Jolla Emerging Artists Competition. Yoyo has also performed twice as a marimba soloist with the San Diego Youth Symphony (SDYS), upon winning first-place honors in concerto competitions, conducted by Sameer Patel in 2025 and Anthony Do-Hoon Kim in 2023.

Alongside her virtuosity on marimba and percussion, Yoyo won first place in the 2023 American Protégé Piano and Strings Competition, earning an invitation to perform piano at Carnegie Hall in December 2023. In 2024, she presented a full piano solo recital, featuring masterworks by Bach, Chopin, and Beethoven. She has received first place and other top honors in numerous competitions, including the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) and local piano competitions.

Beyond her performance achievements, Yoyo is deeply committed to sharing her love of music with her community. She is a leader of the Carmel Valley Summer Symphony, a student-run non-profit organization providing free and accessible music education to students across San Diego, ensuring that her passion for music spreads far beyond her personal performances.