Acclaimed for her “staggering virtuosity,” Hanzhi Wang is the only accordionist to ever win a place on the roster of Young Concert Artists in its 60-year history. An ambassador for her instrument, Hanzhi has been praised for her captivating stage presence and performances that display passion and finesse.

A groundbreaking artist, Hanzhi’s other firsts include being named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” an interview and performance on the 2,145th episode of New York WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase as the first solo accordionist on the program, and the Naxos label’s first-ever solo accordion CD, “On the Path to H.C. Andersen,” which was nominated for the prestigious DR (Danish Radio) P2 Prize in 2019.  

A First Prize Winner of the 2017 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Hanzhi debuted in New York in The Peter Marino Concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall. Her Washington, DC debut opened the 40th Anniversary Young Concert Artists Series at the Kennedy Center, co-presented with Washington Performing Arts. She holds the Ruth Laredo Prize and Mortimer Levitt Career Development Award for Women Artists of YCA. 

Hanzhi won First Prize in the 40th Castelfidardo International Accordion Competition in Italy. She inspires the next generation of accordionists with lectures, performances, and masterclasses at the Manhattan School of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Tianjin Music Conservatory, Ghent Music Conservatory (Belgium), and in Norway and Portugal. Composers Martin Lohse, James Black, and Sophia Gubaidulina have written and dedicated works to her.

Hanzhi has performed recitals at UC Santa Barbara’s Lively Arts, Stanford Live, Bravo! Vail, Krannert Center, Candlelight Concert Society, and the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota.  An Avid chamber musician, she has recently performed at Tanglewood and with YCA Alum, Steven Banks, at The Morgan Library & Museum.

Hanzhi has appeared as soloist with the Oregon Music Festival Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Iris Orchestra, Hawaii Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, and the Reno Chamber Orchestra.

This season Hanzhi will make her debut on the Death of Classical Series at the Church of the Intercession in New York City and will embark on a coast-to-coast tour with Mandolin sensation Avi Avital, which includes a performance presented by the New York Philharmonic. 

Ms. Wang earned her Bachelor’s degree at the China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She completed her Master’s degree and Soloist Diploma at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen with the renowned accordion professor Geir Draugsvoll.

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YCA represents accordionist Hanzhi Wang for worldwide engagements. Please contact us for more information.