Dr. Xun “Richard” Xu is a violinist and pedagogue known for his systematic approach to bow control. After years of struggling with right-hand tension and unclear bowing mechanics, his method helps violinists gain better sound, freedom, and confidence by rebuilding bow fundamentals from the ground up. Through The Bow Doctor programs, Dr. Xu shares this system with musicians worldwide, combining deep technical insight with empathy and clarity born from personal experience.

Dr. Xu currently served as Concertmaster of the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra and often plays with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. He has appeared as soloist and chamber musician in concert halls across China, the United States, Thailand, and Canada. His recent performances include a recital at Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery Thailand (Reimagined Soundscapes: Echoes Across Cultures), the Doctoral Lecture Recital Bitter Suite by Martin Bresnick, and numerous orchestral and chamber concerts throughout North America and Asia.

Dr. Xu previously served as the Patricia Pierce Visiting Artist in Residence at South Dakota State University and has been featured as Violin Fellow Artist with the Boulder Bach Festival. He was also the First Violin of the Ravnan String Quartet, funded by Ms. Yi Xue. Before coming to the United States, he held the Concertmaster position at the China Youth Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and performed as a section violinist with the Peking Sinfonietta Orchestra.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Xu has held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, South Dakota State University, and now teaches in Vancouver, Canada. His workshops and masterclasses—including those at Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Mahidol University College of Music, Zhaoqing University, and University of British Columbia—reflect his commitment to bridging performance and pedagogy through clear, systematic training.

Dr. Xu earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he also studied orchestral conducting. His awards include First Prize and the Outstanding Musicality Special Prize at the 2023 Bach International Music Competition, First Prize at the Charleston International Baroque Competition, and multiple honors from the American String Teachers Association.