Yanzi Zhou, a 14-year-old cellist from Wuhan, China, started cello lessons at 8 years old with Lili Liu. Yanzi is currently studying cello performance at the attached middle school of Wuhan Conservatory of Music under Associate Professor Bing Li.

Notable prizes Yanzi has achieved include the Outstanding Performance Award in the Aiqin Cup International Cello Competition, the first prize in the Academic Cup Cello Competition and the Europe-China Crescendo International Music Competition. In 2022, she showcased her artistry in her solo recital concert and was selected as a candidate for the Shanghai Music Prodigy Search. She has performed with the Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Muhai Tang.

Yanzi was admitted to the Morningside Music Bridge Program (MMB) in 2023 and 2024 with a full scholarship and had the opportunity to perform at the Emerging Artists Recital at the NEC. As a member of the MMB String Orchestra, she collaborated with other musicians in a performance of the work of Bela Bartok.

The esteemed teachers from whom Yanzi has taken masterclasses include Jian Wang, Jiwu Li, Li-Wei Qin, Laurence Lesser, Hans Jørgen Jensen, Tomasz Strahl, Andres Diaz, Lluis Claret, Clara Minhye Kim etc. Yanzi has performed in prestigious venues such as Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall, Wuhan Qintai Concert Hall, NEC’s Jordan Hall and Williams Hall. In addition to her solo endeavors, she is passionate about chamber music and has performed Antonin Dvorak’s Piano Quartet with fellow musicians.

Upcoming in July 2024, she will perform with the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra.

PROGRAM

SEMIFINALS
Edward Elgar        Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non-troppo – Poco più lento – Adagio

FINALS
Edward Elgar         Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
I. Adagio – Moderato
II. Lento – Allegro molto

BACH
J.S. Bach.      Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009
I. Prélude