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Elaine Zhang
Cello | winner of the 2025 Richmond Symphony League Concerto Competition

Elaine Zhang, age 16, is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She began studying cello at age 10 and is a student of Danielle Cho, Assistant Principal Cellist of the Washington National Opera Orchestra. Since 2024, Elaine has been a National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellow.

Elaine made her orchestral solo debut in 2023 with the Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra after winning 1st place in the 2023 VMTA Concerto Competition. As a two-time 1st-place winner of the AYPO Concerto Competition, Elaine performed with the AYCO in 2024 and will perform with the AYP in 2026. In June 2025, she made a solo appearance with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra as winner of their concerto competition. Elaine also won 1st place in the 2025 Richmond Symphony League Student Concerto Competition and will make her professional orchestral solo debut with the Richmond Symphony in 2026.

In 2026, Elaine won 1st place in the Instrumental Music category of the James C. Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition. She also received honorable mentions in both the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competitions, where she was invited to perform side-by-side with the U.S. Army Orchestra. In addition, Elaine has been a member of the Northeast Virginia Senior Regional and Virginia All-State Orchestras. She has also performed in masterclasses with cellists Alban Gerhardt, Colin Carr, and Pablo Ferrández.

Beyond her concerto and orchestral appearances, Elaine has performed at prominent venues and events throughout the Washington, DC area, including performing as the opening act of the National Symphony Orchestra’s Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert at The Anthem, the Young Presidents’ Organization’s Global Leadership Conference reception at the National Portrait Gallery, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy at the National Building Museum. Her performances have also taken her to venues including Ward Recital Hall at Catholic University, the Embassy of Hungary, and the REACH, Millennium Stage, and Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Elaine Zhang
Cello | winner of the 2025 Richmond Symphony League Concerto Competition

Elaine Zhang, age 16, is a sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She began studying cello at age 10 and is a student of Danielle Cho, Assistant Principal Cellist of the Washington National Opera Orchestra. Since 2024, Elaine has been a National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellow.

Elaine made her orchestral solo debut in 2023 with the Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra after winning 1st place in the 2023 VMTA Concerto Competition. As a two-time 1st-place winner of the AYPO Concerto Competition, Elaine performed with the AYCO in 2024 and will perform with the AYP in 2026. In June 2025, she made a solo appearance with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra as winner of their concerto competition. Elaine also won 1st place in the 2025 Richmond Symphony League Student Concerto Competition and will make her professional orchestral solo debut with the Richmond Symphony in 2026.

In 2026, Elaine won 1st place in the Instrumental Music category of the James C. Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition. She also received honorable mentions in both the 2025 and 2026 U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competitions, where she was invited to perform side-by-side with the U.S. Army Orchestra. In addition, Elaine has been a member of the Northeast Virginia Senior Regional and Virginia All-State Orchestras. She has also performed in masterclasses with cellists Alban Gerhardt, Colin Carr, and Pablo Ferrández.

Beyond her concerto and orchestral appearances, Elaine has performed at prominent venues and events throughout the Washington, DC area, including performing as the opening act of the National Symphony Orchestra’s Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert at The Anthem, the Young Presidents’ Organization’s Global Leadership Conference reception at the National Portrait Gallery, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy at the National Building Museum. Her performances have also taken her to venues including Ward Recital Hall at Catholic University, the Embassy of Hungary, and the REACH, Millennium Stage, and Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.