2012 Piano Faculty

PROFESSOR JIN ZHANG graduated from Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music with outstanding marks in 1987. He now heads the Piano Performance Section of the Music School attached to the Central Conservatory of Music, is General Secretary and judge of China's National "Xing Hai Cup" Piano Competition, and held the same position for the 5th International Frederick Chopin Competition for young pianists in 2006.

Over his 20-year career, Professor Jin has achieved much success both at home and abroad. His students have won numerous awards, including: first prize (youth group) in the 6th and 10th Missouri Southern International Piano Competitions, USA (1996 & 2004 respectively); first prizes of the "Xing Hai Cup" Piano Competition, P.R. China; Special Prize of the 2002 International Adilia Alievea Piano Competition, France; fourth prize of the 3rd International Seiler Piano Competition, Germany (2003); first prizes in the youth group of the Seiler International Piano Competition, Greece, in 2004 and 2006; fifth prize of the 4th International Frederick Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, Russia (2004); third prize of the 2nd International Piano Competition Theodor Leschetizky, Taipei; first prize of the National Concerto Competition, China (2005), first prize of the Morningside Music Bridge Concerto Competition, Canada (2002 and 2003), and third prize in the same competition in Shanghai, China (2006); first prizes (youngest group and under age 18 group) of the Vladimir Krainev International Piano Competition for Young Pianists, and second prize of Horiwitz Competition for Young Pianists, Ukraine, in 2006; and second prize of the Ettlingen Children & Youth International Piano Competition in Germany (2006).

Professor Jin's 13-year-old student, Huang Nansong, was invited to perform for the Young Talents Concert of the 12th International Steinway Festival in Germany in 2006, and at the Nakanoshima International Music Festival in Japan. Huang also played a half-solo concert in Paris in 2007 and a solo concert at the Osaka International Music Festival in 2007, and performed solo concerts and concerti in USA in 2008. Another student, 16-year-old Wang Chun, won first prize of the Villa-Lobos International Piano Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil and fifth prize of the 6th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan in 2006. In 2008, Wang Chun was awarded third prize in the International Piano Competition in South Africa. To date, Wang Chun has played solo concerts in France and Brazil, and several concerti in South America.

Besides teaching, Professor Jin Zhang performs and pursues other music-related activities. He has played the role of judge at various piano competitions, and has lectured, in China, Germany, Canada, France and the USA.

For his excellent contribution to teaching, Professor Jin Zhang was named Outstanding Teacher by the Central Conservatory of Music in 2000, and was honoured with the 4th "Yang Xuelan" Music Teaching Award that same year. In 2004, the Ministry of Culture of P.R. China conferred on him the "Ou Yongxi" teaching award for the arts, and in 2007, he was awarded "Bao Gang" teaching prize in recognition of his brilliant achievements. His name is listed in China's Dictionary of Well-known World Intellectuals and Index of Chinese Contemporary Artists.