Tianran Zhou

Tianran Zhou, a gifted pianist, is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Piano Performance and music theory at the University of Northern Colorado, where she studies under Dr. Zukiewicz.
 
Her musical journey in the United States began in 2017 when she enrolled as an undergraduate student at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with the esteemed pianist Inesa Sinkevych, Chair of the Piano Department. During her studies, Tianran performed on the main stage of Carnegie Hall in 2017 and 2018. She also participated in the school’s Winter Chamber Music Festival in 2019 and the Contemporary Piano Music Concerts in 2021 and 2022, earning widespread recognition for her exceptional artistry.
 
In 2021, Tianran received offers from Manhattan School of Music and New England Conservatory, and chose to stay in Manhattan School of Music for her Master degree; In 2024, she began pursuing her doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, where she was admitted as the top-ranked student, receiving a full assistantship and additional merit-based scholarships. 

​

Tianran’s musical achievements have taken her across the globe, earning her numerous accolades. She won third prize in the 2014 Singapore International Piano Competition (Teenage Amateur Category), was a finalist in the 2015 Parma Liszt International Piano Competition in Italy, and earned first prize in the 2016 Asian Chopin International Piano Competition (Teenage Amateur Category). In 2017, she took first prize in the Steinway Piano Competition (Zhejiang Region, China). Her performances have been described as “technically dazzling and profoundly impressive” and “elegant, with a natural sense of musicality and emotional depth.”
 
As a dedicated and experienced piano educator, Tianran has achieved remarkable results with her students. Since beginning her teaching career at the age of sixteen, she has nurtured many young pianists who have been admitted to prestigious institutions, including the Glinka Conservatory and Gnessin Academy in Russia, as well as the China Conservatory, Zhejiang Conservatory, Wuhan Conservatory, and Nanjing Arts Academy in China. Her amateur students have consistently achieved a 100% pass rate in ABRSM and Shanghai Conservatory grading exams, with the majority earning distinctions.