Nancy Zhou, an acclaimed violinist with international experience, will join the faculty of Tianjin Juilliard in fall 2025. She is set to teach graduate and Pre-College students as part of her new role.
Zhou has played with a number of orchestras worldwide, such as the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. On November 7, she is scheduled to perform the world premiere of a violin concerto by Juan Pablo Contreras with the San Antonio Philharmonic.
Her appointment at Tianjin Juilliard aligns with her interest in training young musicians and exploring how music interacts with cultural identity. Zhou’s debut album planned for 2025, titled “STORIES (re)TRACED,” features solo violin works by Eugène Ysaÿe, Béla Bartók, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Fritz Kreisler. She describes this album as an exploration of storytelling through music and its connection to cultural heritage.
Born in Texas to a family involved in the performing arts—her father taught her violin and her mother was a folk dancer in China—Zhou studied at both the New England Conservatory of Music and Harvard University.
Zhou emphasizes wellbeing among musicians in her teaching philosophy. In a recent interview about her teaching style she stated: “Experimental, dialogic, and analytical. As a musician, how does one find the intersection of mindfulness, logical clarity, courage, and emotional sensitivity?”
When asked about important qualities for modern violinists she said: “Curiosity, humility, and discipline. This trifecta demands a pioneering spirit that [examines] how music serves civic society, a mindful focus on the present moment, and an awareness that there are no bounds to learning.”
On advice for young musicians navigating changes in classical music today Zhou noted: “Music reacts to the zeitgeist. I have found it essential to approach this work first as a humanist and citizen, and then as a creator. Cultivating empathy and curiosity creates deep and authentic connections with colleagues, audiences, and with the broader society we serve.”
Discussing how she guides students through interpretation she explained: “The score is like a code that holds the composer’s artistic intentions and spirit. One spends time analyzing, imagining, and re-creating based on the basic elements of music: harmony, rhythm, timbre, melody among many others. It is only through this immersive experience that a performer can perform with conviction and freedom.”
Reflecting on what teaching has taught her Zhou shared: “Ultimately we’re discovering music together. Teaching encourages [everyone involved] to think critically and engage the imagination. I’ve learned not only to articulate and justify my ideas but also to profoundly extend empathy toward another individual. Teaching is not prescriptive but rather interactive.”
Her musical influences include Béla Bartók—whom she credits for redefining music as a socio-cultural force—Teresa Teng for emotional impact through voice; Mirella Freni for combining speech with song.
Regarding performing internationally Zhou said: “With the privilege of traveling comes a realization that love for creativity and empathy is universal. Despite cultural differences these shared values connect us both on and off stage. Every performance venue has its own unique acoustics and audience culture; that is a source of great inspiration.”
