Praised by the Hungarian Liszt Society for her "glitteringly delicate and sensitive performance" and "supreme interpretation," Zhengyi Zhang has captivated audiences in prestigious venues across China, Europe, and the United States. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance under the mentorship of Benjamin Pasternack at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where she was a recipient of the Carol Jean and John R. Young Scholarship and an Interplay artist at UMBC. She previously served as a teaching associate faculty at Peabody Preparatory.
Zhengyi graduated in 2018 from the University of Notre Dame with the Outstanding Senior Award. Her four years at Notre Dame enriched her love for various disciplines, particularly mathematics, literature, and art history. During this time, she studied piano with John Blacklow and decided to pursue her musical passion. Notably, in 2017, she performed for former U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush at the inauguration of O'Neill Hall and Duncan Student Center. Following her graduation, she continued her musical education under the guidance of Benjamin Pasternack for her master's degree. Her earlier teachers include Yulan Chen (Ningbo University), Xiaoyan Xia (Shanghai Conservatory of Music), and Shuxing Zheng (Shanghai Conservatory of Music), who generously mentored her.
Zhengyi has participated in renowned festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and School, Rebecca Pennys Piano Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Music Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the International Keyboard Institute and Festival. She has performed in master classes for distinguished artists including Stephen Hough, Roger Vignoles, Ann Schein, and Richard Goode. Her accolades include the Gold Prize at the 2018 International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in China, First Prize at the 2015 University of Notre Dame Concerto Competition, and First Prize at the 2024 Concert Artist International Competition. Recent performances highlight her solo debut recital at Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall, her concerto debut with the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, and a feature at Carnegie Hall.
Zhengyi is the founder of Brook Music Collective, an organization that facilitates conversations between the public and professionals in music. By collaborating with outstanding artists, scholars, and industry professionals who share this mission, Brook Music Collective curates concerts and talks with distinct themes and compelling narratives. The organization strives to create immersive, interactive concerts that maximize the audience's experience.
(photo by Justin Yang)