By: Selina Li
For violinist Hua Zhang, music is not merely a craft—it is a language of emotion, intention, and connection. On April 26, 2025, she will take the stage at Steinway Gallery Hall in Maryland for a highly anticipated recital with Chinese-American pianist Abraham Cheng. The program spans the elegance of Mozart, the emotional depth of Brahms, and the colorful modernism of Ravel, Resonating offering the audience a richly layered musical experience.
“Each piece is a new voice, a new landscape,” Zhang says. “I want the audience to experience not only the variety of styles but also the personal thread that connects them all—my interpretation.”
Born in Shanghai, Zhang began studying violin at the age of three and a half. By fourth grade, she had been admitted to the Primary School Affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She later moved to the U.S., where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Violin Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and she is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma.
Zhang’s artistry has been recognized internationally, earning first at the Lima Symphony Young Artist Competition, the Gold Star at the Music & Stars Awards, and second place and Best Performance of a Work at the Pancho Vladigerov International Violin Competition. She has performed as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Ruse and the Sofia Soloists Chamber Orchestra, as well as having served as concertmaster for both the Indiana University Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras.
Photo Courtesy: Dominick DiOrio / Indiana University (Hua Zhang (Second left) performed with William Shatner (Front Right) April 2024)
Yet what sets Zhang apart is not only her accolades, but the distinctive artistry she brings to every performance. Her playing is known for its emotional depth, tonal clarity, and stylistic nuance. “Hua’s playing is filled with remarkable passion that infuses each note with energy and meaning,” says acclaimed violinist and educator Simin Ganatra. “Whether transitioning between musical styles or navigating the complexities of different composers, she does so with seamless fluency and insight. Her technique is brilliant, but what truly distinguishes her is the expressive commitment she brings to every phrase.”
Kevork Mardirossian, Zhang’s longtime mentor, adds, “She is a terrific violinist with great stage presence and a unique musical personality. Her stylistic understanding is outstanding, and she has become an audience favorite in both solo and chamber music performances.”
Zhang’s musical voice has been shaped not only by training and international competition, but also by pivotal artistic experiences. From 2015 to 2019, she was selected to study and perform at the Seiji Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy in Japan. “Working with Maestro Ozawa changed the way I understood music,” she recalls. “He could transform the sound of an entire orchestra with a single gesture. Under his guidance, I truly experienced how music can transcend the score and become something spiritual.”
More recently, Zhang has developed a strong interest in historical performance, studying baroque violin and collaborating with period-instrument ensembles. “There’s so much richness in baroque music beyond the well-known names like Bach or Handel. I’d love to bring more lesser-known composers to light through future performances.”
When asked which composer resonates most deeply with her, Zhang names Schubert: “His music is so pure and direct—it speaks to something very human. I feel most at home in those moments of emotional simplicity and sincerity.”
Zhang is also an accomplished and dedicated educator, currently teaching violin, viola, and piano at the Moon School of Music, the International School of Music, and her private studio. “Technique is essential,” she says, “but I also want my students to find their artistic voice. That’s when music becomes real.”
Photo Courtesy: Hua Zhang (Hua Zhang performed at Candle Light Concert Second from Left in Indiana)
Her approach to performance emphasizes both precision and spontaneity: “The most powerful moments happen when the music takes over. My goal is for the audience to not just hear the music but to feel something—something genuine.”
As her career continues to expand across solo, chamber, and teaching realms, Hua Zhang remains a musician of rare sensitivity and strength. Her upcoming recital is not just a presentation of skill but a reflection of a deeply personal artistic journey. For audiences in attendance, it promises to be an evening of music that speaks not just to the ear, but to the heart.
Published by Joseph T.
