Peng Zhou: Finding Architecture in Sound — A Pianist’s Journey from Bach to the Digital Age
- WOMCO
- Nov 10
- 6 min read
Chinese pianist Peng Zhou, currently based in Reno, Nevada, USA, was awarded the Grand Prize in the Baroque B (Over 17) category for her performance of Bach's Toccata in C minor, BWV 911, at the Saint-Saëns International Music Competition, 2025 Season 3 (June 12 – September 12), with results announced in October 2025.
As a versatile musician and scholar, Zhou balances her work as Director of Music Ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance.
Following her recent success, we spoke with Peng Zhou about the inspiration behind her award-winning performance, her artistic approach, and her thoughts on musicianship in today’s world.
Could you share the background of your award-winning performance of Bach Toccata in C minor, BMV 911? When and where did you record it, and what led you to choose this piece for your performance?
Peng Zhou:
"Bach's Toccata in C minor, BMV 911, was part of the repertoire for my second Doctor of Musical Arts degree recital. I recorded this piece last summer in my hometown of Wuhan, China. I have enjoyed learning Bach's works since my time in middle and high school at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. I appreciate the structure and logic inherent in Bach's music. Whenever I perform his works on stage, I am reminded of the architecture of Gaudí, which evokes a sense of calmness and peace in me. Additionally, my lecture topic focuses on French court dance in Bach's keyboard suites."
Could you please walk us through your approach to preparing and interpreting your award-winning video performance for the online music competition? What were some of the artistic or technical considerations that shaped the final result, and are there any tips or points you think are important when submitting a performance video?
Peng Zhou:
"I am currently a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I have various work responsibilities each day. However, I prioritize practice as my first task every morning to ensure I can concentrate fully and engage passionately in my music. During my practice sessions, I focus on aspects such as musical lines, harmony, entrances, phrases, and the overall structure of the piece. Memorization is not my strongest skill, so I dedicate significant time to carefully remembering each entrance and cue in advance.
When it comes to submitting a performance video, I recommend that individuals prioritize sound quality over video quality. Ultimately, a music performance should evoke a deep emotional response."
Could you please talk to us about yourself, your journey in music, and your future goals? Could you also share your perspective on what defines a great pianist in today’s digital age and what you consider to be the most significant artistic or professional challenges facing musicians today and in the coming years?
Peng Zhou:
"I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at the University of Nevada, Reno, where I also work as a graduate teaching assistant. Prior to this, I earned two master's degrees from SUNY Potsdam—one in piano performance and another in K-12 music education. Additionally, I hold a bachelor's degree in piano performance from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, where I began my formal training in 2007 at the affiliated middle and high schools.
My first teacher was Prof. Zhenrui Jiang, the former chair of the piano department at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. She was among the first generation to study abroad at the Moscow Conservatory of Music. Unfortunately, she retired shortly after I enrolled in the conservatory for my bachelor's degree. I received rigorous training from her, which established a solid foundation for my future musical expression. In the United States, my favorite teacher has been Dr. Hyeyeon Park, a professor of music at the University of Nevada, Reno. I studied with her for nearly three years, during which she taught me invaluable lessons about listening to music deeply. I have developed a richer understanding of music performance, moving beyond mere keyboard playing. Each season, I travel to San Francisco to attend live concerts, where I continue to learn and experience new insights that I am eager to share with her. My listening skills are improving, and my comprehension of music is deepening.
These experiences have enriched my understanding of performance, teaching, and collaboration with fellow musicians. In my role as the director of music ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church in Reno and as a graduate teaching assistant for accompanying ensembles, juries, and choir classes at the University of Nevada, Reno, I have honed my collaborative skills and my ability to provide effective accompaniment.
From my perspective, the most significant artistic and professional challenges facing musicians today and in the coming years are economic. Many musicians are struggling due to an unstable global economy, which forces them to sacrifice practice time to take on private teaching jobs. The pace of life is accelerating worldwide. However, I believe that making music for a living is entirely different from making music for a life because it is one’s passion. Regardless of the challenges I face, my aspiration remains to be a true solo pianist on stage."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Peng Zhou:
"First, I would like to express my gratitude to my teacher, Dr. Hyeyeon Park, who has taught me how to listen to and understand music deeply. I also want to thank my family in China; my parents and sister have always supported me in pursuing my dream. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge my best friend, Yuchen Xie. Although we are in different areas and she doesn't have a background in classical music, she makes an effort to attend my concerts whenever she can."
Biography
Peng Zhou, Piano
Director of Music Ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church, Reno, NV
Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Peng Zhou is a pianist, teacher, and scholar who works in all three areas: performing, teaching, and academic research. She is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate in piano performance at the University of Nevada, Reno. Zhou is just as comfortable playing solo or playing with other musicians in chamber groups. As a teacher, she is dedicated to fostering her students' creativity, enhancing their technical skills, and encouraging them to view music as both a craft and an art form.
Zhou began her piano lessons with the chair of the piano department at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music at the age of four. She later attended the middle and high school affiliated with the conservatory. In 2013, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. Subsequently, she moved to the State University of New York at Potsdam to pursue a double master's degree in K–12 music education and piano performance. While studying at Potsdam, she gained valuable experience through her participation in juries and degree recitals. She then moved to the University of Nevada, Reno, to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, where she served as a graduate teaching assistant. During this time, she frequently performed with the Nevada Wind Ensemble.
As a performer, Zhou has collaborated with various musical ensembles, ranging from intimate chamber groups to expansive large ensembles and choirs. Recent highlights of her performances include the Nevada Wind Ensemble's show of Ginastera's "Danza Final" from Estancia Dances, Debussy's "Hommage à Rameau," and James M. David's Urban Light. Additionally, she premiered Steve Danyew's commissioned work, "And the Cities Rise Like Dreams," with the Nevada Wind Ensemble and the Nevada Concert Choir in 2024. This performance was part of a concert commemorating the 150th anniversary of the University of Nevada. She has played with chamber groups on works by Schubert, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. She has also played with different organizations, like the West African Drum and Dance Ensemble at SUNY Potsdam. Zhou is a talented musician who has served as the director of music ministry and keyboardist for churches located in both Oregon and Nevada.
In addition to her performance and teaching roles, Zhou explores the connections between music and culture. She has authored several works, including The Ambient and Emotional Sound World of Valtari: An Analytical Exploration and An Analysis of Robert Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze, as well as earlier research on French court dance in Bach's keyboard suites and methods for teaching piano to intermediate-level students.
Zhou has received numerous awards and scholarships. Notable recognitions include the Evelyn Semenza Honts English Scholarship, the Barringere Music Scholarship, and the Margaret Ryan Sampson Scholarship from the University of Nevada, Reno. Earlier in her career, she received an honorable mention in the Crane Concerto Competition at SUNY Potsdam. She won the KAWAI National Piano Competition in Wuhan and the Chinese Youth Arts Competition in Hong Kong.
Zhou moved to the United States from China to follow her dream of becoming a pianist. She also can speak both Mandarin and English very well. Her different experiences as a teacher and performer have changed the way she thinks.