Sophia Zhou, age 11, is a dedicated cellist and a 7th grader at Newark Charter School. She began her musical journey at the age of 4, studying under Jennifer Stomberg at The Music School of Delaware. Sophia has since developed a deep love for the cello, studying with Jennifer Jie Jin from 2021 to 2023 and currently under the tutelage of Priscilla Lee.
Sophia has earned numerous accolades in music competitions, including 1st place in Delaware youth concerto competition 2025, 1st place at the 2024 Autumn Music Competition, 1st place at the OPUS Competition in 2023. Other notable achievements include 2nd place at the 2023 Romantic Music Competition and being named Runner-up in The Music School of Delaware’s Concerto Competition in 2023. Sophia is currently an active member of the Delaware Youth Syphony Orchestra for the 2025-2026 season and member of the 2025-26 Capanna Pre Advanced Study chamber ensemble in settlement music school. She was in Philadelphia Sinfonia Player Orchestra for the 2024-2025 season and DYSO for the 2023-2024 season.
Outside of music, Sophia has been ice dancing since age 7. She is the U.S ice dance final Juvenile Champion and 1st place of Easter Sectional. She earned 1st place in the 2025 international solo ice dance, 2nd place in the 2024 International Solo Ice Dance competition and has won Gold medals in Pattern Dancing at the US Solo Ice Dance Nationals in both 2022 and 2023. In addition to her musical and ice dancing pursuits, Sophia enjoys reading, public speaking, drawing, and ballroom dancing, as she is also engaging in volunteer work at the Delaware Food Bank with receiving her president volunteer service award 2024-2025 and serving as a member of the Student Government at Newark Charter Junior High.
Watch Sophia Zhou perform Tarantella by William Henry Squire on the cello for the 2022 Romantic Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Sophia Zhou perform Allegro Appassionato Op.43 by Camille Saint-Saens on the cello for the 2023 Romantic Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Sophia Zhou performs J.C. Bach Cello Concerto in C Minor, 1st Movement by Johann Christian Bach on the cello for the 2024 Autumn Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Sophia Zhou perform Suite No.1 in G Major, BWV 1007, II. Allemande by Johann Sebastian Bach on the cello for the 2025 Finale Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.