Aria Zhao

At just eleven, Aria Zhao is making her mark on the international stage. She began her piano studies at six under Ms. Jia Shi and has since performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Chopin Center in Szafarnia, the Paderewski Music Hall in Poland, Solitär at Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Italy’s Accademia Musicale Città di Palmanova, and Harvard Musical Association Music Hall in Boston.

Aria has been recognized in numerous international competitions, earning distinctions such as the Youngest Pianist Award at the International Chopin Competition for Youth in Szafarnia, top prizes at the Paderewski and Hartford Chopin International Piano Competitions, and a Gold Medal at the 2024 Steinway Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with the New York Chamber Orchestra at Weill Hall and was awarded First Prize at the Cremona Music Festival, where she also received special recognition for her performances of Romantic and Modern repertoire. In 2024, she is invited to perform with the Cremona Festival Orchestra under Mark Churchill and will present Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (first movement) with the Fort Worth Symphony at the Van Cliburn Concert Hall and with the Todi Chamber Orchestra in Italy. This past month in March, Aria won the third place at Jeune Chopin International Competition and Aria's prelude received high praise from Martha Argerich.

Aria’s passion for music shines through every performance, captivating audiences with her artistry beyond her years.