Paris 15.04.2025
Young accordionist Rachael Xu has been nominated Five Music Rights Champion by the Executive Board of the International Music Council.
Rachael was born in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Influenced by her father Lin Xu, an accordion virtuoso himself, she started playing the accordion at the age of 7 and soon demonstrated exceptional talent by becoming the youngest to pass the highest level of her region’s music proficiency exam in the accordion category.
Since then, she has expanded her repertoire, perfected her technique and has been performing nationally and internationally, regularly taking part in about 30 events each year. Rachael has been awarded in prestigious accordion competitions and was recently named Youth Artist by a renowned Italian accordion manufacturer.
Rachael’s dedication to the vision and objectives of IMC and the Five Music Rights dates back to 2021 when she decided to donate the entire income of her concerts to the International Music Council. More recently, she amplified her efforts and used her voice to inspire greater youth participation in music, envisioning a future where music is a fundamental part of every child’s life, nurturing creativity, emotional development, and cultural awareness—ensuring that music continues to be a global force for connection and self-expression.
For Rachael, these achievements represent not only personal musical growth but also a deepening commitment to her role as an advocate for the Five Music Rights, especially among her peers. As a young musician, she is acutely aware of the importance of nurturing a love for music from an early age.
“Over the past five years, I have deepened my understanding of the Five Music Rights and have been constantly contemplating my role in promoting them, raising awareness among my peers and making whatever small impact I can. With this new appointment, I feel an even greater sense of responsibility, and will certainly continue to dedicate my talent to further advocating for the Five Music Rights. Together, we can make a significant difference”.
On behalf of the Executive Board, IMC President Sheila Woodward expressed her appreciation: “We acknowledge Rachael’s commitment to use the power of music to speak beyond the confines of its own world to all peoples: to those in need, to those with the power to help them and to those with potential that just needs some crucial push or inspiration to unlock it.”