Nancy Zhou, violin

Known for her probing musical voice and searing virtuosity, Nancy Zhou seeks to invigorate appreciation for the art and science of the violin. Her thoughtful musicianship and robust online presence resonate with a global audience in such a way that brings her on stage with leading orchestras around the world.

More than 20 years since her orchestral debut, Nancy has collaborated with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, among others. A passionate soloist who cherishes chamber music collaborations and commits to the responsibility of education, Nancy has performed at festivals including the Verbier Festival, Tongyeong Music Festival, and Marvão Festival; she is a regular guest educator at various international summer festivals, holding not only masterclasses but also workshops on fundamental training and wellbeing for musicians.

Over the years, the violinist's interest in cultural heritage and the humanities manifested in a string of notable collaborations. In collaboration with the New Jersey Symphony and Xian Zhang, she presented Zhao Jiping's first violin concerto at Alice Tully Hall; gave the US premieres of Unsuk Chin's "Gran Cadenza" for two solo violins with Anne-Sophie Mutter; performed Chen Qigang's "La joie de la souffrance" with the Rogue Valley Symphony; and, in partnership with the La Jolla Symphony, gave the West Coast premiere of Vivian Fung’s Violin Concerto no. 1. In July 2025, Nancy embarks on a research trip with Vivian to Zhexiang, China, the hometown village of the violinist's mother, who is a former professional folk dancer ; the result is a work for violin and electronics that explores the intersection of music as a cultural force and folk minority culture. The violinist's debut album, Stories (re)Traced, is a response to these questions and features four seminal and inextricably connected works for solo violin, including Béla Bartók’s Sonata. The CD releases this season with Orchid Classics.

Born in Texas to Chinese immigrant parents, Nancy began the violin under the guidance of her father. She went on to study with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory while pursuing her interest in literature at Harvard University. She now is an Associated Artist of the Queen Elisabeth Chapel and Professor of Violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

For more information, please visit: nancyzhouviolin.com

Management: Earl Blackburn, Kanzen Arts LLC.