San Francisco-based pianist Franz Zhao received his early musical education from the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. Franz holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Active as both a soloist and a collaborator, Franz has performed throughout the Bay Area, Southern California, New York, as well as in Asia and Europe, performing in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall, the Thomaskirche, and the Chautauqua Amphitheater. Franz currently acts as staff pianist and vocal coach at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Boys Chorus, and the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts.

Also active as a composer, Franz has appeared on NPR’s From the Top as both a composer and pianist, where he was a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. His works have been featured on radio stations such as KDFC and KQED.