About

Yongyun Zhang, Percussion

Yongyun Zhang, a Chinese percussionist and cross-disciplinary artist, is propelled by a dedicated passion for performing and premiering contemporary works, particularly those seamlessly integrating the spoken voice. Yongyun explores the profound impact of literature on modern percussion repertoire. This unique perspective is showcased through commissioned pieces and thoughtful adaptations.

She is the recipient of a Graduate Fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council and a grant from the New Music USA Creator Development Fund. She has given recent lectures and performances across China (Guangzhou Opera House, Shandong University, Central Conservatory), the US (Women Composers Festival of Hartford, Chosen Vale, a solo performance during PASIC New Music/Research Presents: Music for Percussion and Voice, a concert with the Harry Partch instruments in Seattle, a performance with red fish blue fish at the La Jolla Music Society, solo and concerto performances during the 2022 Transplanted Roots Percussion Research Symposium, et al), and Europe (soundSCAPE 2020; solo concerts at Akademie Schloß Solitude).

Yongyun studied with the members of Percussion Group Cincinnati at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (BM), where she received First Prize in the Baur Competition, the top performance distinction awarded across all instrumental performance majors. She graduated with her MM from the University of Washington School of Music, and is pursuing a DMA at the University of California San Diego. She is a member of the red fish blue fish percussion ensemble.