Chelsea Guo: The Art of Dual Expression
September 5, 2025
Performing September 21 | 4 PM | Cori Terry Theatre
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Chelsea Guo, the Gilmore’s first Rising Star of the season, is a distinguished pianist and soprano whose artistry has already set her apart. In 2022, she became the only performer in the history of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions to receive a duo award in both piano and voice. Her journey has entered an exciting new chapter with her recent move to Vienna, where she joined the Opera Studio at the Volksoper Wien. We had the pleasure of speaking with Guo about her artistic path — read on to hear her story in her own words.
Which artists are you listening to right now?
“Recently, I’ve been listening to Beethoven’s 4th concerto on repeat! I love listening to different versions and seeing it through the lens of each artist, especially because I think the piece becomes highly personal for most everyone who encounters it. I find the concerto a really fascinating and moving portrayal of what Beethoven does best – an outpouring of emotion exploring the extremes on the spectrum of human experience. It’s my dream concerto to perform one day!”
What are you working on musically?
“I feel really excited that I get to work on a huge range of repertoire right now. Since I started my position as a soprano in the opera studio at the Volksoper in Vienna, I’ve been thrown into a lot of new and exciting roles and am currently preparing to be in at least 6 operas next season (Carmen, The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, to name a few). At the same time, I’m spending a lot of time on my piano repertoire! I get asked a lot if this is overwhelming, and it certainly is a lot of music that requires a huge time commitment, but truthfully, doing one only makes me appreciate the other more!”
Do you have a pre-performance routine?
“The routine I have is constantly changing, but the one that works best as of now involves waking up later (as to minimize the waiting time before the performance), a light workout, and a comforting meal 3-4 hours before the concert starts. I also try to be mindful of the amount of time I spend on my screens on performance days as to prepare myself to stay in the moment!”
Is there something you enjoy when you are not practicing, playing, or traveling?
“I love to cook and I LOVE to eat! I also really cherish time spent with loved ones, so a combination of both is my ideal way to spend all other time.”
What are you looking forward to in the next six months?
“I’m really looking forward to the opera productions in the coming year. Since I’m still relatively new to the world of opera and theater, every day I work at Volksoper brings new surprises, challenges, and joys that grow me as an artist and person.”
Is there a highlight of your year so far, either professional or personal?
“Moving to Vienna was a big highlight of this past year. The city is beautiful and full of history, I love immersing myself in a new culture and language, and I’ve already encountered truly special people!”
Experience both facets of her artistry on Sunday, September 21 — with piano in the first half and a rare self-accompanied vocal performance in the second.