RUOBING (RU) ZHANG
New York City,USA
Summary
Versatile Juilliard-trained pianist, vocalist, voice/piano teacher, vocal coach, musical director, and current Juilliard guest faculty with extensive backgrounds in performing, competing, and accompanying. Poised and charismatic soloist, collaborator, and artist who quickly masters new repertoires in a broad range of musical styles while striving for excellence. Imaginative educator with a strong teaching background, adept at fostering musical growth and technique in students of all ages. Known for exceptional communication skills, adaptability, and results-driven approach. Highly skilled in curriculum development, student assessment, and personalized instruction.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Guest Faculty Member - Voice Coach
The Juilliard School
09.2022 - Current
- Developed personalized vocal training programs and accompanying piano tracks for diverse student needs.
- Conducted individual and group coaching sessions to improve pitch, musicality, diction, and storytelling through song.
- Implemented innovative exercises to boost stage presence and emotional delivery.
- Offered specialized instruction in various genres such as musical theater and pop music.
Music Director
City College Academy of the Arts
09.2017 - 05.2021
- Musical direction in high school full productions of "In the Heights", "Rent", "Mamma Mia", and "Once on This Island."
- Instructed young singers, enhancing their technical abilities and confidence in performance settings.
- Implemented assessment tools to evaluate student progress, driving personalized learning strategies.
- Enhanced students' understanding of music theory through engaging activities and exercises.
- Fostered creativity by encouraging improvisation, composition, and arrangement within the classroom setting.
- Motivated students to practice consistently through goal-setting, tracking progress, and providing constructive feedback.
Competitions
Voice and Piano
2012 - Current
- 2025 Guest Judge for the Finals of the I Am A Singer Chinese Pop Competition
- 2024 Guest Judge for the Chinese Karaoke King Competition
- 2022 Guest Judge for the Chinese Shining Sound Singing Competition
- 2022 Gerda Lissner Lieder Competition Winner with Erik Grendahl
- 2021 Guest Judge for Columbia University’s Vocal Star Competition
- 2018 Flute Competition with Yiding Chen
- 2016 Water Cube Cup Chinese Vocal Reality Show – Gold Prize
- 2016 "Avenue of Stars" Chinese TV Reality Talent Show - Top 10
- 2016 The American Prize – Voice/Piano Divisions Winner
- 2015 2nd Catholic University of America International Piano Competition – First Place
- 2015 Steinway of South Jersey Piano Competition – First Place/Grand Prize
- 2014 ICEPN TV's "My Great Stage" Talent Show – Platinum Award
- 2012 World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, OH – First Place/Grand Prize
Performances
Select
2009 - Current
- 2025 Trio Recital with Violinist Marti and Cellist Eugene
- 2025 Recital with Carol Wincenc at the National Arts Club
- 2025 Concert with Chinese Tenor Yuqiang Dai in NJ
- 2024 Joint Trumpet Recital at St Aedans Church
- 2024 Graduation Recital for Baritone Jared WerleinF
- 2024 Graduation Recital with Pop Singer Emma Du
- 2023 Featured Singer at the American Dream Lunar New Year Lighting Ceremony.emony
- 2023 Recital with Trombonist Ehren Valme
- 2022 Masters of Music Graduation Recital
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Hornist Joe Borgia
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Bassoonist Troy Baban
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Baritone Erik Grendahl
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Soprano Lydia Graham
- 2022 Recital with Carol Wincenc Flute Studio
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Double Bassist Dimitrios Mattas
- 2022 Graduation Recital with Flutist Kaylee Wang
- 2022 Featured Singer at American Dream Mall Water Cube Cup Celebration
- 2022 Vocal Arts Honors Recital at Alice Tully Hall
- 2021 Recital with Carol Wincenc Flute Studio
- 2021 Graduation Recital with Flutist Lauren Scanio
- 2021 Graduation Recital with Cellist Emily Mantone
- 2021 Graduation Recital with Bassoonist Morgan Davison
- 2021 Debut Concert with Raquel Fernandez at Jazz at Lincoln Center
- 2020 Debut Classical Piano Studio Album, released by the China Record Corporation
- 2020 Bachelor of Music Graduation Recital
- 2019 Graduation Recital with Bassoonist Faraz Khan
- 2019 Recital with Flutist Alison Beskin
- 2018 Recital with Carol Wincenc Pre-College Flute Studio
- 2018 Graduation Recital with Flutist Audrey Emata
- 2018 Graduation Recital with Flutist Yiding Chen
- 2018/2019 54-Below Benefit Concerts for Badiene Magaziner
- 2017 Featured Performer at NY Fashion Week Couture Show
- 2017 Graduation Recital with Bassoonist Felix Ren
- 2017 Graduation Recital with Flutist Olivia Staton
- 2017 New Years Eve’ Featured Dancer/Singer at the New York City Times Square Ball Drop
- 2015 Tri-M Society Featured Performer
- 2014 Featured Performer at Eastern Regional High School's Holiday Concert
- 2012 National Anthem at Norfolk Tides Minor League Baseball and Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball
- 2012 Solo Performance with Cincinnati World Festival Orchestra
- 2009/2011/2012 Winners' Concerts at Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall
Education
Training -
Principal Teachers
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
The Juilliard School
New York, NY05-2020
Master of Music - Collaborative Piano
The Juilliard School
New York05-2022
Festivals
Masterclasses
Conductors
Skills
- Ballet and Hip Hop (10 yrs)
- Kung Fu (10 yrs)
- Fluent Chinese (10 yrs)
- Art (7 yrs)
- Tap (3 yrs)
- Side Aerial
- Beatboxing
Timeline
Guest Faculty Member - Voice Coach
The Juilliard School
09.2022 - Current
Music Director
City College Academy of the Arts
09.2017 - 05.2021
Competitions
Voice and Piano
2012 - Current
Performances
Select
2009 - Current
Training -
Principal Teachers
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
The Juilliard School
Master of Music - Collaborative Piano
The Juilliard School
Festivals
Masterclasses
Conductors