Pianist
Sophie Xuefei Zhang, native of Beijing, began her piano studies at an early age with Zhao Jianjun and later on studied with Professor Tai Er, piano faculty at the Central Conservatory of China. She presented her debut solo recital at Beijing’s Jin Fan Concert Hall at the age of thirteen, before moving with her family to Toronto, Canada, where she continued her study with Li Qi and Dr.Dong Dong-dong. Sophie recently graduated with honour from University of Toronto with Bachelor's degree in Music, under the tutelage of Marietta Orlov and Gregory Oh.
Among the many competitions she has entered in both China and Canada, she was the First-prize winner of the Hope Cup Piano Competition, First place winner of the Beijing Student Music Festival, First-place winner of the Beijing district of Concours de Piano Sino-Francais "MIDO", First-place winner and scholarship recipient of the Kiwanis music festival and Markham music festival. In 2007, Sophie placed first in the Canadian Music Competition which has provided her performance opporunities at University Women’s Club as well as CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio. An active soloist, Sophie has performed at the Beijing Concert Hall, Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Rolston Recital Hall at the Banff Centre, and the Glenn Gould Studio for various concerts and events, such as Soundstreams Canada and the Chinese Young Artist Showcase and has appeared at the Canadian Opera Company’s Richard Bradshaw Theatre; she has also been invited to appear on Beijing’s Music Radio Station, FM97.4.
During her study at the University of Toronto, Sophie was the recipient of the University of Toronto Alumni scholarship, Marietta Orlov piano scholarship and Margaret Boswell Parr Scholarship. Equally active as a chamber musician, Sophie, as a member of piano trio Trio Luna (violinist: Luri Lee, cellist: Andrew Ascenzo), won the University’s Felix Galimir Chamber Music Award in 2008 which led to the Trio’s debut solo recital at Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, as well as providing her a three-week residency at the Banff Centre’s chamber music program in the summer. With Trio Luna, Sophie has appeared on stage at the George Weston Recital Hall, as well as part of University of Toronto’s “University’s Best Kept Secret” concert; they have appeared at the Markham Theatre performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the York Symphony Orchestra, and was invited to play a solo recital on the Chamber Music Hamilton series. The trio also enjoys participating in out-reach programs at venues such as high schools and senior homes, especially after having the inspiring opportunity to work with Robert Kapilow.
Growing up as a singer as well as accompanist from elementary school through university, Sophie has conducted sectional rehearsals and is an active choral accompanist.
Sophie currently lives in New York City studying at Manhattan School of Music for her Master’s degree in piano performance with Daniel Epstein. Aside from school, she is an active instrumental accompanist and teacher, and enjoys performing solo and chamber music as well as participating in out-reach music programs. Sophie is an avid tango lover, also passionate about cooking, photography, traveling and writing.
Masterclasses/private coaching:
Solo piano:
Janina Fialkowska, Jane Coop, Andre Laplante, Paul Pollei, Kevin Fitzgerald, Stephen Prutsman, Arcady Aronov, Winston Choi, James Parker, Henri-Paul Sicsic, Boris Lysenko, Ian Parker.
Chamber music:
Steven Isserlis, Lydia Wong, Bernadene Blaha, Denis Brott, Henk Guittart, Philip Setzer, Barry Shiffman, Mark Steinberg, Pacifica String Quartet, Gryphon Trio, St.Lawrence String Quartet.
--------
CV, repertoire and recording are available upon request.
