Andy Zhao is a passionate young pianist dedicated to plumbing the expressive depths of the classical piano repertoire.
Andy has been honored to receive recognition on various international platforms. Recent achievements include First Prize at Miclot International Music Competition, First Prize at the UK International Music Competition, and First Place at the Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition in Salzburg. At the Star Cluster International Music Competition in Toronto, he was awarded First Place with Special Honours and Distinction Plus, alongside the Poetic Musical Narration Award and the Audience Award. His performance experience also includes earning First Place at the Crescendo International Music Competition with a subsequent debut at Carnegie Hall, a performance at New York’s Engelman Recital Hall for the Manhattan International Piano & Concerto Competition, and a Silver Award from the International Piano Professionals Association Competition in Boston.
Andy’s musical journey began at the age of five under the guidance of Julie Liu, and he currently refines his craft under the mentorship of Elly Wen. Andy furthered his musical development this July through the Oberlin Piano Festival at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he joined a select group of 24 young pianists selected from applicants worldwide and took masterclasses with Oberlin Piano Department Chair Haewon Song, as well as Professor Robert Shannon. He is also grateful for the guidance received from distinguished mentors, such as Dr. Carl Cranmer of West Chester University and Dr. Melvin Chen of the Yale School of Music, and remains committed to his ongoing growth as a musician.
Watch Andy Zhao perform Piano Sonata No 5, Op 53 by Alexander Scriabin on the piano for the 2026 World Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.