Anna Zhirui Zhao

Dr. Zhirui (Anna) Zhou is an internationally trained classical pianist and a dedicated piano educator based in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Georgia.

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Dr. Zhou is a prizewinner of numerous competitions, including the Young Artist Concerto Competition, International Piano Competition in Pineto (Italy), MTNA Southern Division Competitions, Memphis International Piano Festival & Competition, and the Southeast Young Artist Piano Competition. She has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall in New York, and has given recitals across China, Hong Kong, the United States, France, Spain, and Italy.

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As a devoted educator, Dr. Zhou has been deeply engaged in the Greater Washington, D.C. piano community, nurturing young pianists through her teaching and artistic mentorship.

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She has studied with distinguished pianists including Prof. Yuan Ling, Prof. Chen Jiang, Franz Mo, Prof. Alexander Kobrin, and Dr. David Fung.