A Gilmore Young Artist and Steinway Artist, 20-year-old pianist and composer Harmony Zhu has been hailed as “a deeply musical soul and nimble technician [with] probing sensitivity” (Chicago Tribune), having “airtight technique [and] coruscating brilliance” (Chicago Classical Review), and as “an impressive soloist, a sparkling and happy presence... unflappable” (Times Union). She won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions at age 15, becoming the youngest artist on the YCA roster. Recognized as a Young Steinway Artist since age 10, Harmony has appeared as soloist with esteemed orchestras worldwide, including opening the season for the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as with the Royal Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, Albany Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Illinois Philharmonic, Aspen Philharmonic, Peoria Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Big Spring Symphony, Symphony in C, Colgate Symphony, Southbank Sinfonia, and Hawaii Symphony, among many others, under renowned conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Marin Alsop, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Most recently, she was invited to give the season-opening concert for the 50th Anniversary season of the Aspen Music Festival, and she has also appeared at other prestigious festivals such as the Verbier Festival and Ravinia Festival. After Harmony’s debut appearance as a soloist at the Ravinia Music Festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth, she was invited back to Ravinia by Marin Alsop who was in the audience to perform with her and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Pavilion the following year. Making her debut at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at age 14 after many appearances at Carnegie’s Zankel and Weill recital halls, Harmony has been featured on NBC's The Ellen DeGeneres Show three times, CBS, ABC, CBC, Classic FM, and NPR's From the Top, showcasing her exceptional talents in piano, composition, and chess. Hailed by David Dubal as “part of the next great Golden Age of the piano”, her musical maturity, charisma, passion, and upbeat personality have captivated audiences wherever she performs.

At age 16, Harmony jumped in at 24-hour notice for the late maestro Alexander Toradze, performing Prokofiev Concerto No. 3 with the Illinois Philharmonic to great acclaim, praised by the Chicago Classical Review as having the “stellar technique and musical insight to have a major professional career”. In addition to her performances, Harmony regularly hosts events, records concerts, and has been featured in global broadcasts for renowned organizations such as Steinway & Sons and the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. She has also been a frequent collaborator on NPR's Emmy-award-winning show From the Top, creating multiple music videos including her partnering up with a tap dancer, which was named one of WQXR’s “19 of Our Favorite Internet Moments of 2018”. Her extraordinary achievements and promising career have earned her acclaim from critics and musicians alike, positioning her as a rising star in the world of classical music. After studying at the Juilliard School for 10 years since age 8 with Emanuel Ax and Veda Kaplinsky, Harmony is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Harvard and Master’s degree in Piano Performance at the New England Conservatory with Wha Kyung Byun under their accelerated dual-degree program. At Harvard, she has been recognized as a John Harvard Scholar and awarded the Detur Book Prize as recognition for outstanding academic achievement.

In addition to being a pianist, Harmony is a versatile composer and accomplished improviser. She is also a chess lover — she was awarded the title of Woman Candidate Master at the tender age of 7 and holds the title of World Champion of her age group after winning the World Youth Chess Championships. In her free time, Harmony is passionate about art history, diving into art museums, as well as reading, calligraphy, photography, paragliding, and birdwatching.