Chao-Ying Lu graduated from National Taiwan Normal University, where she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree and studied under Jui-Se Yang.

She won the first prize in the Hsing Tian Kong Music Competition, NTNU Concerto Competition, and the National Viola Competition during 2004-2005. She has received guidance from masters such as Nobuko Imai and Ulrich Knörzer.

She performed concertos with NTNU Orchestra and was a member of the Pacific Music Festival in 2005 and 2006. She is now the viola assistant principal of the National Symphony Orchestra.