Zhengyu Xu

Zhengyu Xu, piano

Mr. Xu has achieved notable success in international competitions, including 1st Prize at the 3rd Ankara International Piano Competition, 1st Prize at the 2023 Charleston International Music Competition, 1st Prize in the Professional Division of the 2025 Berlioz International Music Competition, and the Grand Prize in the Professional Division of the 2025 Carl Reinecke International Music Competition. Mr. Xu was named 2025 Best Pianist of the Season and received the Masterful Technique Special Award from the International Music Leadership Award, and he is also the winner of 2026 KCMC Scholarship Auditions in Kansas, USA. 

Mr. Xu holds the Artist Diploma from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of Kansas, where he serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, working as an instructor of piano and collaborative pianist.  

As a soloist and collaborative pianist, Mr. Xu has given numerous performances in Asia, Europe, and the United States. He was also invited to give masterclasses in China and the US. Mr. Xu’s performances have drawn praise from distinguished artists. Renowned pianist and founder of the Bösendorfer International Piano Competition, Baruch Meir, described his performance as “truly exhilarating,” and “something quite special.” 

Mr. Xu received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Shanghai University School of Music and was named an Honorary Alumnus. He studied with Associate Professor Yeye Ji during his undergraduate years. During his time in the United Kingdom, Mr. Xu earned both the Master of Music degree and the prestigious Artist Diploma in Piano Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studied with British pianist Nicholas Ashton and undertook in-depth study of French piano repertoire with Professor Roy Howat of the Royal Academy of Music. He is currently completing his DMA studies at the University of Kansas under the guidance of Dr. Scott McBride Smith, former President of MTNA, while holding a teaching assistantship in piano instruction and collaborative performance. During his time in the UK and the United States, Mr. Xu has received guidance from distinguished pianists including Sean Chen, Boris Berman, Steven Osborne, Petras Geniušas, Aaron Shorr, Fali Pavri, Sinae Lee and others. His principal teachers in China also include Professor Lan Cui and Professor Yingdi Sun of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.