Pianist
Sophie Xuefei Zhang, native of Beijing, began her piano studies at an early age and 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 while attending The High School affiliated to Renmin University of China, before moving with her family to Toronto, Canada, where she continued her piano studies.
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 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. Sophie 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 received the University’s Felix Galimir Chamber Music Award in 2008 which led to a debut solo recital with her chamber group 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 her trio, 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 enjoyed 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.
In 2009, Sophie has toured with CCICAN across Canada giving concerts. She is also a winner of the 2011 Collaborative Artists EastWest Scholarship Competition. Sophie has worked closely with Robert MacDonald and has appeared on masterclasses given by Janina Fialkowska, Jane Coop, Andre Laplante, Julian Martin for solo piano music, and with Robert Mann, Michael Tree, Steven Isserlis, Bernadene Blaha, Denis Brott, Henk Guittart, Philip Setzer, Barry Shiffman, Mark Steinberg, Pacifica String Quartet, Gryphon Trio, St.Lawrence String Quartet for chamber music.
Sophie holds Bachelor's Degree from University of Toronto, Faculty of Music (studying with Marietta Orlov and Gregory Oh) and has recently graduated from Manhattan School of Music obtaining Master's Degree in Music (studying with Dr.Solomon Mikowsky and Daniel Epstein). Sophie currently lives in New York City, enjoying the many performing opportunities with other chamber musicians as well as playing solo music while in her spare time taking care of her flower/plants, experimenting in the kitchen and perfecting her tango moves.