XiuZhang Cao learned piano at the age of 6 and began learning trombone from his father at the age of 12. In 2019, he got into the third year of junior high school affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music studied under Professor Guo Pengyuan. In the same year, he was admitted to the pre-college at Tianjin Juilliard School under the guidance of Professor Lee Allen. In 2021, he received the highest scholarship to enter the Interlochen Art Center in the United States studied under Professor Thomas Riccobono. In 2023, he received a full scholarship to enter the Curtis Institute of Music in the United States studied under Professor Nitzan Haroz and Professor Matthew Vaughn.

XiuZhang Cao won first place in the trombone category at the 5th Yantai Youth Instrumental Music Competition in 2015. In 2019, participated in the 7th China International Brass Music Festival and won first place in the Trombone Youth Group. In January 2021, won the first place in the Youth trombone performer category at the first New Zealand International Brass Competition. In August 2021, participated in the 8th International Brass Music Festival in China and won second place in the professional category. In October 2021, he won the championship of the 64th Interlochen Concerto Competition in the United States and collaborated with the Interlochen Orchestra to perform David trombone concerto. Received the Interlochen Young Artist Award in May 2023.

XiuZhang Cao has served as the trombone principal of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Interlochen Orchestra, and participated in collaborative performances with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Art Center in New York. During this period, he collaborated with well-known orchestras such as the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony In C Orchestra in the United States. Currently serving as the principal trombone of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra.

XiuZhang Cao was generously supported by Banff Centre Artists' Awards.