Nathaniel Zhang

Age: 17

Hometown: Folsom, California

School/Teacher: Curtis Institute of Music/
Michelle Cann and Sasha Starcevich

Nathaniel Zhang, from Folsom, California, entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2024, studying piano with Michelle Cann as the Gay Elliot Scott Fellow. He also studies with Sasha Starcevich. A recipient of the Chopin Foundation Scholarship, Nathaniel has performed as a soloist with the Seattle Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Florence Conservatory Orchestra, and more. He won first prize in the MTNA Junior Performance Competition and the Waring International Junior Solo and Concerto Competitions, and top prizes in the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Nashville International Chopin Piano Competition, and the International Piano-E Competition. He was a 2023 National YoungArts Finalist. Nathaniel has performed at Carnegie Hall, featured on NPR's From the Top and ABC World News: America Strong, and attended the Frost Chopin Academy and Morningside Music Bridge festivals.

Repertoire

Preliminaries 

Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1 (Paderewski)

Etude in G sharp minor, Op. 25 No. 6 (Paderewski)

Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42 (Paderewski)

Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60 (Paderewski)

 

Quarterfinals 

Preludes Op. 28, No. 7-12 (Paderewski)

Etudes, Op. 10 (Paderewski)

Andante Spianato and Polonaise in E-flat Major, Op. 22 (Paderewski)

 

Semifinals 

Ballade in F Major, Op. 38 (Paderewski)

Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 35 (Paderewski)

Berceuse in D flat Major, Op. 57 (Paderewski)

Mazurkas Op. 59 (Paderewski)

Scherzo in B flat minor, Op. 31 (Paderewski)

 

Finals 

Polonaise-Fantasy, Op. 61 (Paderewski)

Concerto in E minor, Op. 11 (Paderewski)