Cellist Todd Zhang, 13, is a student at Woodlawn Middle School, where he is a member of his school orchestra. He began studying cello at the age of 6 with Andrew Bukowinski and has been studying with his current teacher, Miles Link, for the past 4 years. Todd has been a member of the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYA) since 2021 and currently participates in both its orchestra and chamber programs.
He has earned recognition in multiple competitions, including Honorable Mention in the 2024 O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition, Overall Winner in the Junior Division of the 2025 O’Malley Foundation National Concerto Competition, and First-Place Winner in the Junior Division of the 2025 UIS Music Solo Competition. In 2025, he was also selected to perform in the 2026 ILMEA All-State Orchestra for middle schoolers.
Outside of music, Todd enjoys playing tennis and running cross country.
Watch Todd Zhang perform Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, Theme and Variations I, II, III, and VII by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky on the cello for the 2026 Spring Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.