Director of Music, Organist-Choirmaster
626.583.2726
wzhao@allsaints-pas.org

Dr. Weicheng Zhao is the first Chinese to win international pipe organ competitions. He won First Prize and the Audience Prize in the Sixth Miami International Organ Competition (2012), First Prize in the organ division of the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition (2012), Second Prize and the Audience Prize in the 12th and 13th Ruth and Clarence Mader National Organ-Playing Competitions (2010, 2014), and Third Prize and the Audience Prize at the American Guild of Organists National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance (2016).

Zhao has performed in the United States, Canada, France, Japan and China. He was a featured recitalist at the American Guild of Organists Regional Conventions (2015, 2019). At the invitation of Jean Guillou, Zhao played a solo recital in Paris at the Saint-Eustache Festival d’orgue, 2011. As an ensemble player, he has performed Mahler’s Eighth Symphony with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, 2019. He was also invited by LA Phil to play on their Chamber Music Series at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 2017. His performances can be heard on National Public Radio (Pipedreams).

Zhao has transcribed over 50 pieces including solos, concertos, and chamber music. In addition, pop music arrangements for piano in 15 volumes were published by Publishing House of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing. His commissioned work, transcription of Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges for three organists (six hands, six feet, one bench) was premiered by Cherry Rhodes, Alan Morrison, and Ken Cowan in 2017. It was recognized as a landmark work in the organ world. His recent commissioned work by the American Guild of Organists West Regional Convention, transcription of Stravinsky’s Fire Bird for three organists has transfixed audiences and colleagues, and was premiered at the 2019 Convention.

Born in Tianjin, China, Zhao came to the United States in 2009 to pursue study of the pipe organ with Cherry Rhodes at the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music, where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He is currently Director of Music and Organist-Choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California where he conducts two 50-voice adult choirs.

Zhao also plays the Electone Organ (which features orchestral and newly developed electronic sounds). He was the first Chinese to win the 43rd Yamaha International Electronic Organ Competition (2007) which is recognized as the most significant of its kind in the world. He went on to become a leading performer of international stature. Among numerous performances, he was selected to perform as soloist at significant celebrations, such as the National Day of China, and the World Economic Forum Summer Davos. His transcription of Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra is recognized as redefining what this instrument is to be in the 21st century.