Qian Zhou, Chinese- born American violinist Qian Zhou is recognized internationally as a violinist, recording artist and teacher of the first rank. )She had her early training at the Shanghai Conservatory, winning first prize in the China National Competition in 1984. She completed her studies with Berl Senofsky at the Peabody Conservatory in the United States, before being also personally mentored by Piero Weiss and Isaac Stern. In 1987, Zhou won the First Grand prize and all five major prizes at Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition. Her victory and the international attention it drew enabled her immediate access to the major halls and performing opportunities around the globe. For more than twenty years, Qian Zhou performs extensively throughout the North America, Europe, Asia and Africa as soloist with orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony , BBC Symphony, Radio de France, New Japan Philharmonic , and the Russian Philharmonic. Her performances have been quoted by the critics with comments such as: "a significant world-class artist, "" her performance was an inspired force, accompanied by a technical polish, communicative capacity, and an expressive candor that was absolutely enchanting.” As the founding Head of Strings at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Zhou has combined her very active performance career with a passion for teaching and has now received high-level endorsements as a master teacher. With students already achieving considerable international success in Europe, Asia, America and Australasia, she is in much demand worldwide for master classes and as a judge in international violin competitions. Qian Zhou is also the Chair of the Artist Committee and Jury of Singapore International Violin Competition, as well as the Artistic Director of Singapore Violin Festival.