Chen Zhao

Chen Zhao is a violin professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) and a violinist with the San Francisco Symphony since 2000. He also coaches the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra and serves as an artist-in-residence at music festivals like Round Top and Pacific Crest. Born in Shanghai, China, Zhao began playing violin at age four and studied under renowned teachers including Felix Galimir and Camilla Wicks.

• Education: Master of Arts (MA) from SFCM, Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Curtis Institute of Music

His career spans prestigious performances across the US, Europe, and Asia, including collaborations with Michael Tilson Thomas, Martin Lovett, and members of celebrated quartets. Zhao actively mentors young violinists, many of whom now hold positions in major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Chen Zhao has participated in landmark recordings like Mahler Symphonies and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 with the SF Symphony. He also co-founded innovative masterclasses during the pandemic with artists like Hilary Hahn and Yuja Wang, and collaborated with pop-rock band Train and violinists Nikki Chooi and Shlomo Mintz for digital platforms.