Wanting Zhao

Zhao Wanting was born in Shenyang, Northeast China, and began her piano studies at the age of four. At fifteen, her first place performance on the entrance examination earned her direct admission to the ultra prestigious Middle School attached to the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Wanting had been a finalist in many national and international piano competitions and in 2006 won first prize at the eleventh “Xing Hai” Cup China National Piano Competition (Professional Group) and at the Fourteenth Hong Kong-Asia Piano Open Competition (in Beijing). The next year she received first place (Beethoven Sonata class) and third place (Open Class) at the Hong Kong-Asia Piano Open Competition (Final Round), first place at the Second “KAWAI” China National Piano Competition (Beijing), and second prize in the Second “Cadenza” Cup China National Piano Competition (Professional Senior Group). In 2008, she won third place at the Oberlin International Piano Competition and the same year was selected as a finalist at the Eastman International Piano Competition for Young Artists. In 2009, Wanting was admitted at TCU School of Music as a winner of the prestigious Nordan Music Scholarship, to study with the Cliburn Gold Medalist and TCU Artist in Residence, Jose Feghali. In 2012 Wanting won first prize and audience favorite award at the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, and was invited to perform with Conroe Symphony Orchestra the following year. She is currently an Artist Diploma student at Texas Christian University, where she studies with the head of the Piano Department, John Owings.