Siyu Zhang

Siyu Zhang joined the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in September 2023 after spending four seasons in the Jacksonville Symphony.

Born in Changchun, China, Zhang began her violin studies at the age of five with Li Yi before moving to Beijing to attend middle and high school at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music. She continued her studies in New York City as a full scholarship student of Lucie Robert at the Manhattan School of Music where she graduated with distinction in 2016 with her Bachelors of Music. Zhang went on to complete her Master of Music degree with Kathleen Winkler at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas. She served in leadership roles on multiple occasions at both of these institutions.

During her time at Rice University, Zhang had the distinction and honor of performing the inaugural recital of a valuable Italian violin which was given to the school as a gift. She was also selected as one of six Zubin Mehta Fellows from Rice University to participate in a performance and week of mentorship with the New York Philharmonic as part of the Global Academy program.

Consistently recognized for the excellence of her performances, Zhang was the winner of the 2009 Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition in Italy. She has performed on Chinese television and gave the world premiere performance of a violin concerto with the ChangYing Symphony in 2017.

Zhang has attended numerous summer festivals including the Spoleto, Aspen, Texas, and Pacific Music Festivals, and the Music Academy of the West and has sat in leadership roles at each of these.

Zhang has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, Atlanta Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and the Detroit Symphony. She is also active as a chamber musician having performed with David Halen, Chad Hopes, James Dunham, Kathleen Winkler, Timothy Ridout, and Timothy Pitts at the Aspen Music Festival and Music Academy of the West.