Philina Zhang started learning piano when she was three, and studies with Irina Morozova at Special Music School in New York City.
Philina has won numerous prizes in international piano competitions, most recently first prizes at both the 13th International Piano Competition in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz and at the third Ricard Viñes International Piano Competition. Other accolades include first prize at the 2021 Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People, International Lev Vlassenko Competition, New York State Music Teachers’ National Association Music Competition, Villahermosa 16th International Festival-Competition, and Grand Prix at the New York Solo Concert Competition. She has also been awarded top prizes at the Chopin Piano Competition in Hartford, Kaufman International Piano Competition, Steinway & Sons Piano Competition, Paris Music Competition, International Virtuoso Competition, and Marbella Music Competition among others.

Philina was one of six young pianists chosen from around the world to participate in the 2022 Gina Bachauer Piano Festival Students Concert and was also invited to the XI International Tchaikovsky Junior competition. She has performed at National Bohemian Hall, Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Merkin Hall in NYC, in addition to concert venues in Spain, Italy, France, China, and the Czech Republic. Her performances have been broadcast on WQXR radio and she is a “From the Top” fellow. Philina is a recipient of the Chopin Foundation scholarship, and she has had masterclasses with Douglas Humpherys, Peter Takács, Orli Shaham, Boris Slutsky, Olga Kern, and Peter Dugan. A prolific composer as well, she currently studies composition with Ira Taxin at the Juilliard School Precollege, and has composed numerous piano solos, chamber works, and art songs.

Repertoire

ROUND I
Tchaikovsky/Gryaznov Waltz of the Flowers
Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 10 in E minor BWV 879/WTC II
Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 12, Chasse neige, in B-flat minor, S. 139
Didorenko Commotion (2020)

ROUND II
Mozart Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576
Schubert/Liszt Ave Maria
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Paganini. Op. 35/Book II

ROUND III
Schumann Concerto in A minor, Op. 54