Tianjie Lu was born in Qingdao, China, and is currently a violinist at the Houston Symphony. He received his Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he was offered a full scholarship to study with Kathleen Winkler. In 2014, Lu won second Prize in the Ruth Burr Music Competition.
Lu completed his Bachelor of Music at Mannes College, where he studied with Sally Thomas. He previously studied with Tong Weidong at the middle school attached to Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In June 2005, he attended the Great Wall International Music Academy. The following year, Lu studied with Kathleen Winkler, took first prize in the concerto competition at the second Beijing International Music Festival and Academy, and was honored at China’s eighth National Violin Performance Competition. He attended the Music Academy and studied with Kathleen Winkler in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was at Meadowmount Music School as a student with a full scholarship and teaching assistance of Sally Thomas in the summer of 2012.