About Vincent Zhang
Vincent Zhang
Vincent Zhang (he/him, b. 2006) is a Chinese-Canadian composer from Vancouver, BC, currently based in New York City. He is pursuing his undergraduate studies in composition at The Juilliard School under the mentorship of David Serkin Ludwig, Dean and Director of the Music Division. As the first Canadian composer in 30 years to be accepted into Juilliard’s undergraduate composition program, Vincent is proud to be the youngest Canadian composer in history to win both the Juilliard Orchestra Competition and the Juilliard AXIOM Competition. leading to awarding his piece “Shaman On The Moon” premiered by the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and as part of the AXIOM prize, he has been commissioned by the Juilliard School to write a new sinfonietta work, which will be premiered next year, marking him as the youngest Canadian composer in history to be honored by Juilliard with both an orchestral premiere and a formal commission.
Raised in Vancouver, Vincent envisions himself as an advocate for a new generation of innovation and diversity in Canadian new music on the global stage. His work interweaves Chinese cultural heritage with Canadian experiences, shaping his artistic endeavors and distinctive style. Dedicated to exploring the essence of modern vitality and the untapped potential of the human spirit through contemporary music, Vincent draws inspiration from his upbringing and a deep spiritual connection to the vast landscapes of the North Shore Mountains. He crafts raw, instinctive soundscapes that reflect his unique artistic vision. His fascination with untamed sonic textures stems from childhood memories of observing the serene ambiance of his Vancouver home, where nature’s quiet majesty first fueled his imagination and creative voice.
Beyond composing concert music, Vincent is a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, engaging with diverse artistic disciplines. In 2024, he was selected as the principal sound artist for James Turrell’s installation exhibition at the Center for International Contemporary Art (CICA). His work extends into dance, having collaborated with choreographers and dancers from Lamondance, who have set multiple of his chamber pieces to movement, including his 30-minute symphonic ballet. Vincent has received commissions and performances working with renowned ensembles such as The Juilliard Orchestra, AXIOM Ensemble, Tacet(i) ensemble, West Coast Symphony Orchestra, Amsterdam Brass Quintet, Loadbang Ensemble, Brightwork New Music Ensemble, and various local chamber groups, choirs, and musicians across Canada and United States. His compositions have been performed at esteemed festivals, including the MMF/NL - Mostly Modern Festival, ICIT - International Compositional Institue of Thailand, INMF - Impulse New Music Festival, Divergent Studio, DMICS - Del Mar International Composer Symposium, and the Zodiac Academy and Festival.