Xiangji Hewitt- violin/viola

Xiangji Hewitt (née Zeng) was born in Beijing. She finished her bachelor study of law at Beijing Institute of Technology, and then went to Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, where she studied violin and musicology, completing her master with research in Schubert and his contemporary sonata form.

Inspired by a recording of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, played by Dutch baroque violinist, Lucy van Dael, she moved to the Netherlands to study baroque violin with Lucy and Ryo Terakado at The Royal Conservatory, Den Haag. In addition to solo repertoire, she plays in many European early music ensembles, such as Barokensemble Eik en Linde and Concerto Valiante. She has taken  part in the 'Side by Side' performances in which students perform alongside members of the Orchestra of the 18th Century.  She co-founded Estehaagse Ensemble, specialised in baroque and classical chamber music on historical instruments, and ensemble Boxwood & Bows, dedicated to the lesser-known Classical trio repertoire for clarinet and strings.

She received 3rd Prize and Young Audience Award with ensemble IJ Space at the International Van Wassenaer Competition (Utrecht) in 2018. In the same year, the CD recording in which she participated with the first Chinese counter tenor, 'Meli Li', was released by Pacific Audio & Video Co. She played in many early music festivals, such as Utrecht Early Music Fringe (2018, 2017) and Boston Early Music Festival (2016, with Ton Koopman, subsequently touring to New York, Den Haag, Leiden and Deventer). Collaborating with English violone player Margaret Urquhart, she played early baroque chamber music at the 'Zhong Yin' Double Bass Festival in Beijing (2016). She is also active as a teacher, giving summer courses in Beijing.