Mengyao Zhao
Piano
Pianist, Mengyao Zhao has won many awards in the United States and China. She is the winner of Honors Concerto Competition at Michigan State University, "Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition, German Irmler International Piano Competition, Asia International Piano Art Competition, and Hai Lun Bei Chinese New Piano Works Competition. She has been frequently invited to give performances and master classes throughout the United States and China. As a recitalist, she has performed extensively across the U.S., and Asia in major music venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Harris Concert Hall in Aspen, Mixon Hall and Kulas Hall in Cleveland, Cook Recital Hall in East Lansing, He Luting Concert Hall in Shanghai, Yan’an Theater and Ningbo Theater.
Dr. Zhao is a piano faculty member of the Community Music School at Michigan State University, Flint Institute of Music and Aspen Music Festival P.A.L.S Lessons. Beyond her role as a pianist and teacher, Zhao is also a founder and main organizer of Cleveland International Music Festival and Piano and Vocal Competition at Cleveland Institute of Music in 2018. During the COVID-19, she was a main organizer of Cross-Cultural Virtual Conversations with Shanghai Conservatory of Music, turning the restrictions on travel into an opportunity to connect online across cultures.
Mengyao Zhao completed her Bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she was a recipient of the Chenxian Fu Scholarship. She received her Master’s degree from Cleveland Institute of Music with highly scholarship studied with professor Kathryn Brown and received William Kurzban Award when she graduated. She later completed Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University College of Music, where she was awarded a full scholarship and graduate assistant to study with Professor Deborah Moriarty. She is currently completing her second doctoral degree in collaborative piano with a full scholarship and graduate assistant to study with Dr. Zhihua Tang.
