Weicheng Zhao

Weicheng Zhao serves as Lecturer in Music, Organ, and College Organist at Pomona College since 2023. He concurrently holds the position of director of music and organist-choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California, where he conducts two 45-voice adult choirs.

His academic credentials include a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music, completed in 2018 under Cherry Rhodes.

• Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music (2018)

Zhao's scholarly and artistic practice centers on organ performance with dual specialization in pipe organ and electronic organ (Electone). His research interests encompass Organ Performance, Music Transcription, Church Music, Electronic Organ, and Music Arrangement. He has transcribed over 60 works spanning solos, concertos, and chamber music, while publishing 15 volumes of pop music arrangements through Beijing's Publishing House of the Central Conservatory of Music. His commissioned transcription of Stravinsky's Firebird for three organists represents a landmark achievement in organ literature.

His distinguished accolades include top honors at international and U.S. national pipe organ competitions with consistent Audience Prize recognition, alongside his historic 2007 Yamaha International Electronic Organ Competition victory as the first Chinese winner in the competition's 43-year history.

• Top prizes in international and U.S. national pipe organ competitions (including Audience Prize)
• Yamaha International Electronic Organ Competition winner (2007)

Zhao maintains an active performance career featuring recitals at American Guild of Organists conventions, solo appearances at Paris' Saint-Eustache Festival d'Orgue, and collaborations with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under conductors including Gustavo Dudamel and Zubin Mehta. His work has been broadcast on National Public Radio's Pipedreams and featured at China's National Day celebrations and the World Economic Forum Summer Davos.