Xiaohan Sun

A native of Wuhan, China, violist Xiaohan Sun joined the viola section of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2019. She began studying the violin at the age of four and transitioned to the viola at thirteen, drawn by its rich sound and expressive depth.

Sun earned her bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and her master’s degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she was a recipient of the Robert L. Lohse Memorial Scholarship. Her principal mentors include James Dunham, Jeffrey Irvine, and Lynne Ramsey, with additional instruction from Heidi Castleman, Joan DerHovsepian, and Robert Vernon.

Prior to joining the Dallas Symphony, Sun was a viola fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida during the 2018–2019 season, and has performed as a substitute violist with the Houston Symphony since 2016.

Her recent festival and chamber music appearances include the Lakes Area Music Festival and the Centrum Chamber Music Intensive. She is also an alumna of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the Pacific Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Kent Blossom Music Festival.