Ren Zhang, Piano

Biography

A native of Shanghai, Ren Zhang began his piano studies at the age of four. At only twelve, he entered the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 1987, Ren debuted with the Shanghai Theatrical Orchestra at the Shanghai Concert Hall as the recipient of the Gold Medal of the National Young Pianist Competition.

Sponsored by a full scholarship, Ren entered the Manhattan School of Music, studying piano with Solomon Mikowsky. There he earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and received the Elva Van Gelder Memorial Award.

Ren Zhang's artistry was recognized after a highly successful New York recital debut at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, as a recipient of the Shura Cherkassky Award from Artist International. Chosen as the opening recital for the Sarasota Concert Association at Van Wezel Hall, Ren Zhang also appears annually as guest artist at the Tenerife and Lanzarote International Music Festivals in Spain. Other recital engagements have included the Muscle Shoals Concert Association in Alabama, the Joseph G. Astman International Concert Series in New York, the Rolfs International Piano Series in Florida, and the Hong Kong Piano Series in Hong Kong, as well as appearances at Merkin Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York. Most recently, Ren Zhang was invited to perform the opening night recital at the Newport Music Festival in Rhode Island.

Ren Zhang has released a number of live CD recordings, including works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt and Godowsky. His live recordings have been broadcast by many classical radio stations around the country. David Dubai, the Julliard School piano professor, has compared Ren Zhang's "Cantabile" by Chopin with that of Vladimir Ashkenazy, on his weekly program, "Reflections from the Keyboard" on WQXR. The International Piano Magazine has published a rave review by Julian Haylock, praising Ren Zhang's performances.