Our Faculty

Weiwei Zhai

Teaches: Piano

Pianist Weiwei Zhai has performed throughout Asia, North America, and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. She has played concerts at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Harvard Club of New York City, Trinity Church Wall Street, Yamaha Artist Services, and Beijing National Library Performing Arts Center. A first prize winner of the Concerto Competition at Manhattan School of Music (MSM), she performed the Scriabin Piano Concerto with conductor Philippe Entremont. In addition, she has played with celebrated conductor Christian Vásquez in Italy. Her piano trio has been invited to play for the International Advisory Board at MSM. Ms. Zhai is also a collaborative pianist at MSM Precollege. As a member of Latin American Chamber Players, she has collaborated with her colleagues to present classical repertoire concerts, emphasizing Latin American composers. She has performed in many renowned music festivals, including Bowdoin International Music Festival, InterHarmony International Music Festival, and Piano Texas International Festival and Academy. 

Weiwei won top prizes in the Kazakhstan International Piano Competition and the Five Towns Young Musicians Competition in New York. She was the recipient of the First-Class Scholarship at Central Conservatory of Music and the Vera Blacker Scholarship at MSM. 

Weiwei was born and raised in Chengdu, China. She began her piano studies with Professor Hanguo Yang and Dr. Chenggang Yang. In middle school, she was accepted to the Affiliated School of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing where she studied with Professor Manchun Chen. She came to New York City to continue her studies at Manhattan School of Music, where she is currently completing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree, studying with Dr. Solomon Mikowsky and Dr. Inesa Sinkevych. 

Ms. Zhai has been deeply committed to music education. She has been giving private lessons, Keyboard for Children Classes, Piano Discovery Classes, Private Piano Lessons for both adults and children at Bloomingdale School of Music. She also has taught Keyboard Techniques and Secondary Piano Classes/Private Lessons to college students at Manhattan School of Music. 

Weiwei is especially interested in solo and chamber works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Franck, Debussy, Ravel, as well as modern composers such as Copland, Carlos Chavez, Messiaen, Boulez, and Steve Reich.

Teaching Philosophy

I create a supportive, nurturing environment for my students to explore, enjoy and create music together. I also pass on techniques to help them practice at home. Whether working with beginners or advanced players, I offer a fun, imaginative yet systematic approach to help students achieve their musical goals. By cultivating students’ musicianship and collaborative skills, I provide a solid foundation for the development of their appreciation for music performance. With care, patience, and respect, I offer my students an engaging and encouraging learning experience. 

Weiwei Zhai's Classes:

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