Biography

Naizhi Zhang is an accomplished multi-instrumentist including percussion, piano, and violin. He is currently completing his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the Conservatorium Maastricht in the Netherlands. Building upon his Bachelor's degree of percussion and music theory from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where he studied under the guidance of renowned percussionist Robert Van Sice, Naizhi brings a sophisticated understanding of both Western and Chinese musical traditions to his craft.

His musical education commenced at the age of four with simultaneous studies in percussion and piano. Under the tutelage of Professors Yuanpei Lai and Zhiwei Zhang at the Central Conservatory of Music, he laid a solid foundation. His training was further enriched by a tutorial session with Ignat Solzhenitsyn in 2017, and he subsequently pursued piano studies with Ildar Khannanov while at the Peabody Conservatory.

With extensive orchestral experience spanning nearly a decade, Naizhi has held principal timpanist positions with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra (2021-2022) and the China Central Conservatory of Music Orchestra (2016-2017), demonstrating his leadership capabilities and technical mastery in ensemble settings. His solo career continues to flourish with an upcoming recital at Shanghai Concert Hall in 2025, following previous successful solo performances at CCOM Concert Hall in Beijing.

Naizhi's chamber music experience includes notable performances at Peabody's Friedberg Concert Hall and Shanghai Opera House, showcasing his collaborative artistry. His dedication to percussion scholarship is evidenced by his participation in master classes with distinguished artists including Pius Cheung, Don Liuzzi, and Robert Van Sice.

His debut album "Wooden Resonance: Three Centuries on Marimba" (2024) has garnered international recognition, receiving features in prominent music publications such as The Merker and The Record Geijutsu in 2025.

Naizhi's competitive achievements include First Prize in Timpani at the Taipei International Percussion Competition (2016) and Second Prize in Marimba at the Italy International Percussion Competition (2014).