Zhao Cong

Chinese Guzheng Virtuoso

Zhao Cong is the Pipa Principal of the China National Traditional Orchestra, a National Class One Musician, a committee member of the All-China Youth Federation and consultant to the arts troupes of the Peking University. She was the first artist-scholar to visit the Stanford University. She is authenticated to be the 'Maestro Performer of International World Music Instruments' by Arts Council San Jose, as well as the councilor and senior judge of San Jose International Art Festival. She is accredited to be the judge of many competitions as CCTV Chinese Traditional Music Competition, International Chinese Traditional Music Competition, The Distinguished Artist of China Day, Harvard University; The Special Guest Artist of 2015 Chinese New Year Concert of Ivy League, etc.. Zhao is a winner of many awards, including the Gold Award at the San Jose International World Music Competition, USA, Class One Award at the All China Competition for Young Professional Pipa Artists and Award for Contribution to Overseas Promotion – Individual Category presented by the Ministry of Culture, China. Her discography includes six solo albums, amongst which Sound of China was the first ever instrumental solo album in Chinese music released under the UMG label. Her original composition, Apsaras on the Silk Road for pipa concerto was awarded the Grand Prix at the first China National Arts Fund awards. In late 2015, Zhao was appointed Composer-in-Residence by Apple, USA, together with the famous composer Tan Dun and singer-songwriter-producer Leehom Wang. As an active artist, Zhao has toured more than thirty countries and regions in Europe, America, Asia and Australia, and performed to over a dozen foreign heads of state. Her music was heard by international audiences at top class venues around the world. She has won the praise and acclaim on the international front, including The Guardian, Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, and Head of the International Division of the Universal Music Group.