Praised as “nothing short of amazing,” Xin Yin (Amy) is recognized as an up-and-coming force in percussion performance and pedagogy. Hailing from Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, Amy has made notable appearances at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention, Internasonal de Percusion (Columbia), and the International Saxophone Symposium.
Amy currently serves as the Visiting Assistant Professor of percussion at Western Carolina University. Before joining WCU, she was an adjunct instructor at Mitchell Community College and Alamance Community College, as well as a graduate assistant at both UNC-Greensboro and the University of North Texas. At UNCG, Amy was nominated for the 2023 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate award from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Her teaching contributions include co-directing the UNCG Percussion Ensemble for their PASIC showcase 2021 and serving as Interim Associate Director of the UNCG Percussion Studio in spring 2022.
Committed to enriching the community through music education, Amy has taught at various institutions, including East Forsyth High School, UNCG Music Summer Camp, Salvation Army Carolinas Music & Arts Conservatory, Ryan High School, and Baylor University Summer Music Camp. She has also presented clinics and performances at notable venues like the Mid-Western Region Orchestra Clinic, the 64th Annual NCMEA Conference, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Pembroke, Coker University, Purdue-Fort Wayne, and SUNY-Potsdam.
Amy’s performance history includes collaborations with esteemed orchestras such as the Beijing Ballet Orchestra, Shenzhen Orchestra, Los Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra. Her recent performance highlights include the Timpani concerto, Raise the Roof, with the UNCG Wind Ensemble at the 33rd Carolina Band Festival. Composer Gene Koshinski praised her solo performance of Homage to KJ as “excellent,” while Gordon B. Stout described her playing as “truly wonderful.”
In 2022, Xin Yin co-founded Duo-Y, a dynamic Percussion and Saxophone Duo based in NC, alongside saxophonist Dr. Jia-Yu Yang. Known for exemplary performances, Duo-Y explores the intersections of Eastern and Western musical traditions with a focus on promoting diverse compositions, particularly by Asian composers. Their collaborative efforts with contemporary composers aim to enrich the repertoire, showcasing the versatility of their instrumental pairing. Composer Marc Mellits praised their interpretation of Escape for Alto Sax and Marimba, noting “I am truly impressed; it’s one of the finest interpretations of Escape I have encountered. Your mastery of the final movement is astonishing.” Duo-Y has performed at prestigious venues including Internasonal de Percusion in Columbia and the International Saxophone Symposium. Their debut album, Unrestrained, is scheduled for release in Fall 2024.
Amy’s journey in percussion education has been shaped by esteemed mentors, including Sam Solomon, Nancy Zeltsman, Doug Perkins, Todd Meehan, Ivan Trevino, Edward Taylor, Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Ed Smith, Paul Rennick, Jose Aponte, Stockton Helbing, Eric Willie, and Peter Zlotnick. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at UNCG, Amy has been honoured as a “Minerva Scholar,” the highest recognition for a doctoral student.
As a passionate traveller who has been to 11 countries, her article “These Crazy Musicians” in the study-abroad advising book My U.S. Study Journal was published by the University of Science and Technology of China Press.
Amy is also proudly endorsed by Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets and serves as an elected Percussive Arts Society International Committee member.
