Jenny Rong Cao

Instructor of Strings

Education

• M.M. University of Arizona
• B.M. East China Normal University

Biography

Jenny Rong Cao is a Memphis-based educator, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral cellist.

A passionate performer, Mrs. Cao has received many compliments from her performance in various of events and concerts in the Memphis area and nationwide, including playing the national anthem with the Bluff City Cello Ensemble for the NBA Grizzlies at Memphis’ FedEx Forum (2019 and 2022), as guest artist soloist at Memphis Indie Movie Festival (2021) and Idlewild Church (2020). Mrs. Cao also served as principal cellist at University of Memphis Orchestra (2019-2021) and she is currently the sectional cellist at Delta Symphony Orchestra (2021-). As the member of Lorraine String Quartet, she had served for many University of Memphis events. Before she moved to Memphis, Mrs. Cao performed and joined in music festivals including the Tucson Jazz Music Festival (2019), the Tucson Cello Congress (2018,2019) and Shanghai Spring Music Festival (2016).

As an educator, she believes in the benefits of music education. Mrs. Cao has taught Applied Cello, Music Appreciation and Chamber music coach at University of Memphis (2019-2022). She also serves as the coach for chamber music at Interlochen Music Camp (2021), Music Appreciation Instructor at Arkansas State University Mid-South (2022), Cello coach at Collierville High School (2021-), Cello coach at Blue Lake Music Camp, and Cello Instructor at Arts for Life’s Sake in Memphis.

Mrs. Cao is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Memphis. Her research interest is focused on cello works by women and female cellists. She holds other performance degrees from University of Arizona and East China Normal University.