SEASON OPENING CONCERT

“Staggering virtuosity that held the audience in a state of breathlessness, as thrilling to watch as to hear.” 

– OBERON’S GROVE (NEW YORK)

Acclaimed for her “staggering virtuosity,” Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for her instrument, Hanzhi has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that display passion and finesse.

A groundbreaking artist, Hanzhi’s other firsts include being named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” an interview and performance on the 2,145th episode of New York WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase as the first solo accordionist on the program, and the Naxos label’s first-ever solo accordion CD, “On the Path to H.C. Andersen,” which was nominated for the prestigious DR (Danish Radio) Prize in 2019.  

A First Prize Winner of the 2017 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Hanzhi debuted in New York in The Peter Marino Concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Her Washington, DC debut opened the 40th Anniversary Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center, co-presented with Washington Performing Arts. She holds the Ruth Laredo Prize and Mortimer Levitt Career Development Award for Women Artists of YCA. 

Hanzhi has performed recitals at UC Santa Barbara’s Lively Arts, Stanford Live, Bravo! Vail, Krannert Center, and Candlelight Concert Society. Upcoming recitals include the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota and a concert with YCA saxophonist, Steven Banks, at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Hanzhi has appeared as soloist with the Oregon Music Festival, Victoria Symphony, Cantori, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Iris Orchestra, and next season performs with the Hawaii Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, and Reno Chamber Orchestra.

Hanzhi won First Prize in the 40th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in Italy. She inspires the next generation of accordionists with lectures, performances, and master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Tianjin Music Conservatory, Ghent Music Conservatory (Belgium), and in Norway and Portugal. Composers Martin Lohse, James Black, and Sophia Gubaidulina have written and dedicated works to her.

Ms. Wang earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She completed her Master’s degree and Soloist Diploma at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with the renowned accordion professor Geir Draugsvoll, where she also served as an assistant teacher at the Academy.

 “…a breezily virtuosic flutist, gave an articulate and ebullient account of Ibert’s impish Flute Concerto”

– Anthony Tommasini, THE NEW YORK TIMES

First Prize Winner of the 2016 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, has been praised by The New York Times for his “breezily virtuosic” playing. He is quickly establishing himself as one of today’s most dynamic musical talents.

Recent solo engagements include performances with the Edmonton Symphony, Grant Park Festival Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and Mobile Symphony. He has also appeared in recitals and chamber music performances at Clemson University, Festival de Ibagué in Colombia, The Kennedy Center, The Morgan Library & Museum,  Clarion Concerts, BIG Arts Sanibel Island, Chamber Music Lehigh Valley, Ringwood Friends of Music, and Newport Classical. Notable collaborations include tours with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and performances with the Jupiter Chamber Players and Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, alongside appearances with the Columbus, Knoxville, Princeton, and Seattle Symphonies.

In 2020, Anthony curated the panel discussion “Learning to Listen,” which addressed the nuances of the Black experience in classical music, and the “Illuminate!” series, exploring the intersections of allyship, ethnicity, pedagogy, queerness, and race in the music field. As a founder of the Umoja Flute Institute, he is committed to providing flutists of African descent with the tools needed to succeed at all levels of music-making. Anthony also serves on the Aspen Music Festival and School’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee and has taught at The Juilliard School and Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Highlights of Anthony’s 25-26 season include concerto appearances with the Brevard Philharmonic, Bangor Symphony, and Orquestra Filarmônica de Minas Gerais (Brazil). He will appear in recital with Thomasville

Entertainment Foundation, Cutchogue Library, University of Florida Performing Arts, North Greenville University, and Hill and Hollow Music. Anthony will also return to Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall for YCA’s Season Finale.

As a devoted chamber musician, Anthony recently joined the legendary Dorian Wind Quintet. During the 25-26 he will tour with the ensemble throughout North America. 

Anthony received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the Colburn School Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of James Walker and completed his high school studies at Interlochen Arts Academy with Nancy Stagnitta. His additional teachers include Nadine Asin, Timothy Day, Megan Lanz, Emmanuel Pahud, and Mark Sparks.