The UK-Chinese violinist Leia Zhu has attracted much attention in her short life. The ambitious virtuoso has been showcased by the HarrisonParrott artists agency, played in 17 countries and written an autobiography.
This morning, she has notified us of a significant career change.
Dear Friends,
I am reaching out today with a story that marks a significant milestone in my life: I am now a qualified Financial Adviser!
To many, this may seem like an unexpected leap from being a globe-trotting soloist to delving into the world of finance. However, this transition is not a change of tune, but rather a harmonious blend of my lifelong passion.
Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the intricacies of finance, mirroring the complex melodies in music. The pandemic, with its shuttered venues and silenced stages, brought a moment of introspection and struck a dissonant chord in my life. It led me to ponder how one can navigate financial uncertainties, especially in the artistic domain where income is often irregular. This curiosity led me on a journey of discovery.
Last year, at the age of 16, when I became legally eligible, I enrolled in a course at the esteemed London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), an institution with a legacy of over 140 years in educating financial professionals. This step allowed me to delve deep into financial studies.
Amidst my GCSEs, I started pursuing the Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA). It was a challenging yet fulfilling year, balancing finance and music, merging fiscal scales and taxes with musical performances and investments.
Achieving this qualification, in line with industry standards and FCA requirements, marks my first steps into the world of personal finance and wealth management…
As I approach my 18th birthday in October 2024, I realise that direct client advisory roles may not be immediately available to me. However, my commitment to gaining knowledge and acquiring expertise in this field remains strong. In the meantime, I plan to apply my growing understanding to engage the general public, especially musicians, in a manner that’s both fun and educational.
I aim to assist people who might not initially be interested in learning the seemingly boring principles of finance, but who need a bit of guidance to understand their personal financial circumstances. Topics like how to budget effectively, save money, differentiate between good and bad debts, invest wisely regardless of the amount, and protect oneself during economic downturns are crucial. If you know someone or organisations that have such needs, I would be delighted to offer presentations on these topics.
My goal is to make financial literacy accessible and engaging, helping to demystify these important concepts for those who might otherwise overlook them. Through this effort, I hope to empower others with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions.
Looking back last year, I achieved all A*s in the 8 subjects I took for GCSEs, I finished the Level 4 Diploma for Financial Adviser Qualification, I published my first book “Bows, Strings and Dreams” achieved No.1 position in the Bestseller list for Teen & Young Adult Classical Music on Amazon USA and secured second place in the bestSeller list for Classical Music Books among Young Adults on Amazon UK as well as No 2 in Classical Music Books for Young Adults on Amazon Australia. All those were on top of my busy travel schedule for music commitments. It was not a bad year for a 16-year-old!
This year is brimming with musical ventures. I’m thrilled to share my debut performances in Armenia, Poland, and Ireland, along with a week-long residency in Abu Dhabi, return engagements in Spain and Switzerland, concerts on the home turf, and a tour in Italy. A highly anticipated debut awaits, details of which I hope to share soon.
Living my dream life, journeying through over 20 countries, and delving into diverse cultures has blessed me with invaluable life skills, including discipline, clarity, time management, rapport building, and effective communication. Witnessing firsthand the power of music to elevate people’s spirits, change people’s life and now integrating this with my knowledge in personal finance, I aspire to make a meaningful contribution to society. My aim is to promote financial sustainability and empowerment through music, hoping to inspire and assist fellow musicians and others in achieving similar goals.
Thank you for tuning into my journey and for being a part of this symphonic blend of life and career!
With gratitude and anticipation,
Leia x
You really couldn’t make it up. Let’s hope H-P are not feeling too disappointed.
