BIOGRAPHY

Dan Zhang, a native of China, is a distinguished professor of viola at The Catholic University of America and Washington Adventist University, holding degrees from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Yale University, Shenandoah University and The Catholic University of America.

Her performances at prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Teatro Centro Cultura Kirchner in Buenos Aires, and Kioi Hall in Tokyo, have garnered international acclaim. Recent highlights includes Stamitz Viola Concerto with Newark Symphony in Delaware, March, 2024. Solo recitals in Catonsvile(MD) in February, Baltimore in March, DC in April. In November 2023, she toured five Chinese cities for solo recitals and masterclasses in Beijing, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, Zhuhai and Chongqing. In October 2023, celebrated 100 anniversary of Turkish Republican playing all Turkish music with Turkish musicians at Süreyya Opera House in Istanbul. Additionally, she soloed with The Catholic University of America Chamber Orchestra in October 2023.

Dr. Zhang’s passion for chamber music is evident through her participation in festivals such as Master Music Course Japan, Bach Cantata Music Festival in Germany, Kneisel Hall Music Festival, and International Jungen Orchesterakademie in Germany. As the violist of the acclaimed D’Amore Duo with guitarist William Feasley. She has been praised by The Washington Post for their “perfect partnership of sound” and lauded their performance as “one of the most uniquely satisfying concerts of the season”. D’Amore Duo maintains an active concert schedule this season in Hagerstown(MD), Seattle, Baltimore, Maine, Gainesville (VA), and DC area.

Dr. Zhang recently performed Loeffler’s Rhapsody for Oboe, Viola and Piano at Washington Adventist University’s faculty showcase. And will perform duo and string quartet music at Chamber Encounters Chamber Music Series in Baltimore area. She has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to her performance career, Dr. Zhang is committed to education, conducting masterclasses at institntions worldwide and serving on faculty of Music & More SummerFest (Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina), and Point CounterPoint Chamber Music Festival on Lake Dunmore beneath the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her aim is to serve as a role model for her students, creating a supportive and nurturing atmosphere that fosters mutual learning.

Dr. Zhang has been invited by Facultad de Música-UNAM and Panamericana University in Mexico to conduct masterclasses and recitals annually starting from 2023. She has also led masterclasses at esteemed schools such as George Mason University, Shenandoah University, Istanbul University State Conservatory, Istanbul Technical University, MinZu University of China, Xi’an Conservatory, Beijing Normal University, Nanjing University, and the Music School of Delaware. Furthermore, she serves as a clinician musician for Loudon County, Montgomory and Fairfax County public schools in the US.

At the Washington Adventist University Summer Music Festival (ASME@WAU Summer Music Festival), she co-direct the festival and imparts her knowledge to students during summers, working closely with world-class artists like Darrell Babidge,Victoria Mushkatkol, Wolfram Koessel, Blair McMillen, Michelle Kim, Gran Wilson, Silvan Negrutiu, Amy Frost Baumgarten, Katherine Murdoch, and Daniel Lau. This festival stands out as a highlight of classical music education in the DC area, attracting participants from China and all parts of the US who travel to attend. Dr. Zhang’s mission is to guide her students towards academic excellence while assisting them in achieving their personal aspirations and fulfilling their individual musical journeys.

Dr. Zhang is the music director of the “The Sound of Strings, Piano and Voice International Music Festival,” since 2015. Contributing significantly to classical music in China. Each year the festival invited numerous renowned artists like Nickolas Jones, Gabrielle Lester, Gramham Scott, Elizabeth Futral, Cynthia Clayton, Vladimir Valjavic, Amir Eldan, Silvan Negrutiu, Florence Millet, Wendy Sharp, Doris Lederer, Akemi Takayama, Thomas Shaw, Sharon Christman, Ivo Kaltchev, Barbora Mullinix, Blair McMillen and more that 50 Chinese professors. Sharing stage with students from China and internationally. Assisting students with further career development and abroad study program.

Dr. Zhang is also the co-founder and producer of “American Virtuoso International Music Competition” supporting young musicians globally.
She also serves as the chair of the American String Teachers Association in Maryland and Washington, organizing festivals and events. Dr. Zhang believes in the ethical development of musicians and sets an example through teaching. Her profound impact on students’ artistic growth is evidenced by their acceptance into prestigious institutions worldwide, a testament to her commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Faculty of
The Catholic University of America,
Washington Adventist University

Guest Musician of
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra,
National Symphony Orchestra

featured citations AND publications

Tan Dun

Mr. Tan Dun is an Academy Award, Grammy, and BAFTA awardwinning composer and conductor best known for writing the score for the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

After listening to my Bartok Viola Concerto, Academy, Grammy and BAFTA award-winning composer, Tan Dun concluded, “I was highly impressed with her playing, and found that many of her choices on the viola revealed an uncommon variety of techniques that served to bring out the richest and most affecting possible sound. Ms. Zhang’s playing in the Bartok concerto’s third movement also interpreted the music in a manner much more in line with Bartok’s original intent that the movement mimics the quality of the music that accompanied traditional Hungarian folk dance. Contemporary performances of Bartok have strayed from this tradition, making Ms. Zhang’s interpretation unusual and captivating and allowing audiences to hear a well-established piece played in a manner that was both truer to the composer’s intent and novel for contemporary ears. Ms. Zhang’s contribution to the world of classical music is significant. Her playing is bringing greater attention to the viola, an instrument often overlooked in the genre in favor of other string instruments. She is fostering cultural exchange between the United States and East Asia; and with her refined ear and nuanced technique, she is bringing rare and unique interpretations of classical music to American audiences. I strongly recommend Ms. Zhang to you.” 

Naoto Otomo

Maestro Naoto Otomo is the Music Director of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra since April 2013, an Honorary Guest Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra since April 2014, a Conductor Laureate of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra since 2008, and a Music Advisor to the Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra since 2001 

“Violists such as Ms. Zhang are rare and vital in classical music. Not only is Ms. Zhang able to bring a rare level of skill and technique to the United States that will enrich any classical orchestral performance, but she is also uniquely able to draw an audience’s attention to the oftenoverlooked beauty of the viola. She is actively helping to reposition the viola as a featured instrument in classical music when it is more often regarded as an instrument best suited for accompaniment.”

Nicholas Phan

Tenor, Nicholas Phan is a Grammynominated singer who was named in 2011 one of National Public Radio’s Favorite New Artists. He has appeared with many leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, BBC Symphony, and the Lucerne Symphony among many others.

“An ear as sensitive as Ms. Zhang’s is rare indeed, and many otherwise expert players cannot achieve the necessary orchestral-choral balance in Bach’s Cantatas. Ms. Zhang played low notes with precise energy that gave stronger support and contrast to higher notes, leaving the viola’s higher register free to sing and revealing the extent of the viola’s range to a degree not typically exhibited by many players. Ms. Zhang is actively bolstering the relevance of the viola within the world of classical music, which will also continue to inspire future generations of musicians to take up the viola as their instrument of choice.” 

Ettore Causa

Considered one of the most brilliant violist performers and pedagogues of modern times, Ettore Causa is an Italian-born violist and professor at the Yale School of Music since 2009.  

He notes that Mrs. Zhang couples “…interpretative choices in her playing that make her work on the viola highly singular.”  He also praises her exceptional memory which he has witnessed first-hand in her performance of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor (transcribed for viola), Penderecki’s Cadenza for solo viola, and Hindemith’s Viola Sonata Op.25 No.1 from memory, in their entirety, in a single recital.

Christopher Zimmerman

For 6 seasons, Mr. Christopher Zimmerman has served as Music Director of the prestigious Fairfax Symphony Orchestra which won Best Classical Orchestra Ensemble under his leadership in 2013 by Washington Area Musical Awards (WAMA). 

Maestro Zimmerman,“…immediately noticed and appreciated Ms. Zhang’s sensitivity as a violist. Her control of the viola is exceptional, and she makes musical choices that are clearly informed by a deep understanding of the pieces she plays.  She won a position in the orchestra… experienced performer of both traditional and modern classical music, capable of introducing mainstream audiences to works outside the ‘traditional’ classical cannon.”

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Mrs. Zhang’s importance in the field of music has resulted in numerous published articles, interviews, and features in professional and major trade media including newspapers and television.   

“The Teachers” – The Teachers is a Chinese nationwide newspaper focusing on matters of education and academia both domestically and internationally. 

On January 13, 2016, The Teachers reporter Ke Han wrote a profile of Mrs. Zhang on the occasion of Mrs. Zhang winning two notable awards for viola and receiving invitations to perform at prestigious events in Germany and Japan.

“New World Times” – Established in 1997, The New World Times is America’s first simplified Chinese newspaper.

On December 25, 2015, New World Times reporter Ho Fong conducted an indepth interview about Mrs. Zhang’s musical experience of 20plus years, her most influential international music performances, and her contributions to cultural exchange between the United States and China.

“SinoVision – New York Lounge” For over 25 years, SinoVision has been the New York Metropolitan area’s leading Chinese-language TV station.

On January 13, 2016, the SinoVision English Channel interviewed Ms. Zhang, highlighting her musical accomplishments and her role in organizing the 2015 “The Piano, Strings, and Voice ” International Music Festival in the city of Xi’an, China.

“Shaanxi Daily” – With a 70-year publication history, Shaanxi Daily is the newspaper with the largest circulation in China’s extensive northwestern region, as well as the first provincial party newspaper with an international circulation.

On August 9, 2015, Shaanxi Daily writer Xianghong Li reported on “The Sound of Piano, Strings, and Voice” International Music Festival organized by Ms. Zhang in the city of Xi’an, China.

MultiMedia

Edward Elgar – Salut d’Amour

Manuel Ponce – Estrellita 

Fritz Kreisler –  Liebesleid 

Gallery

Dan Zhang's Showcase

Dan Zhang and Her friends

Studio
Dr. Zhang Violin/Viola Lesson

Student Achievements

Cindy – All Virginia County Orchestra violin section

Sydney – All Loudon County Orchestra viola section

Andrew – American Youth Philharmonic

Ethan – Loudon Youth Symphony Orchestra

Lydia – First Prize of the American Protege Competition 

Xin – pre-college of The Juilliard School

Yushan – Bachelor Degree at Manhattan School of Music

Ning – Bachelor Degree at Chicago College of Performing Arts

Haodong – Music Bachelor Degree at Royal Conservatory of Music

Dianlin – Bachelor Degree at Mannes School of Music

Tingyang – Tingyang- Master Degree at Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Yance – Bachelor Degree at Lynn University

Grace Wu – Bachelor of Music Degree at Peabody Institute of Music

Lifeng – Master Degree Longy School of Music

Niao – Master Degree at Temple University

Siwei- Master Degree at Peabody Institute of Music

Yiying – Master of Music Degree at Chicago College of Performing Arts

Dan Zhang and Her Students

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