Riley Zhu is a nine-year-old pianist from Austin, Texas. He began studying piano at the age of five and a half and currently studies under Julia Amada Kruger, President of the American College of Musicians. In 2026, Riley received the Bronze Award at the 8th Finlandia International Piano Competition and earned Third Place at the DeBose National Piano Competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During the summer of 2026, he participated in the 19th International Piano Masterclass “Resonant Thoughts – Pensieri Sonori” in Valdisotto, Italy, where he placed second in the elementary school division and earned an invitation to participate in the 2027 Young Talent Concerto program in Italy. Riley continues to develop his musical artistry through piano study, competitions, and performances.
Watch Riley Zhu perform Untuk Ayla IV by Jaya Suprana on the piano for the 2026 Instrumental Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.