Sophia Zhai is a talented young pianist from Maryland, who has been making significant strides in the world of classical music. At just 10 years old and a rising 5th grader at Potomac Elementary School, she began learning piano at the age of five and has been studying at Seasharp Music Studio for over a year under the guidance of Ms. Vivian Kwok. Ms. Kwok has been instrumental in improving Sophia’s technical skills and helping her discover her passion for music. In 2023, Sophia won the First Prize at the “Golden Classical Music Awards” International Competitions held in both Los Angeles and New York, which earned her the prestigious opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in March 2024. Since then, Sophia has continued to excel, winning First Prizes in several international piano competitions, including the Rocky Mountain Music Competition Spring Season 2023, The Triumph Music Festival Competition Fall 2023, and the 2023 Prima Volta Music Competition. Her success continued into 2024 with another First Prize at the Vivo International Music Competition Spring 2024, which allowed her to perform at prestigious Merkin Hall in New York. Sophia has also expanded her performance experience by playing at various venues such as the Tribute Communities Recital Hall in Toronto, Canada, and the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as several local music halls. Her achievements at such a young age highlight her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.
You can find Sophia’s 2024 Summer Music Competition piano performance here.