A highly sought after violinist and teacher in Singapore, Christina Zhou has been praised for exhibiting a “full rein of her virtuoso abilities” in concert and for presenting performances that are “a testament to true musicianship and fortitude” (The Straits Times).
Christina studied under the late Zvi Zeitlin at the Eastman School of Music in the U.S. where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree with distinction honors. She then went on to complete her Graduate Diploma under Zuo Jun at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore. Her previous teachers include Sui Yue Long and Zhang Zhen Shan. Christina has won the First Prize of the Concerto Competition at Eastman and Third Prize in the Junior Category of the National Violin Competition in Singapore.
Christina has performed extensively in chamber ensembles and orchestras, working closely with world renowned conductors and musicians both in the States and Singapore. She was a founding member of the Sophron Quartet (2013-2015). She has recorded with the OSSIA ensemble under New World Records in the States. Christina freelances in the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, re:Sound Collective among others. She has been featured as a soloist with the ADDO Chamber Orchestra, as well as toured with the PSPA International Ensemble in Malaysia. She is also the violinist of the SETTS Ensemble. SETTS consists of 11 professional musicians who aspire to transform the cultural scene of the city, produce and present performances of South-East Asian Contemporary music to a high professional standard.
Beyond the western classical music genre, Christina has been invited to record for Rani Singam’s single “My Muse” and has worked closely with Rani and Chok Kerong in recitals and concerts. She was also invited to play for “Disquiet”, Chok’s first work featuring the pipe organ for the VCH Organ Series alongside other SSO musicians.
Christina is the violinist of her ensemble, TO ensemble. She was the Assistant Music Director (2014-2018). Its music is original and draws from a multitude of musical cultures including jazz, film score, classical music and Asian sounds. The ensemble has performed extensively in Singapore and festivals abroad, as well as recorded for commercials by Toyota among others.
A passionate educator, Christina spends most of her time teaching. Together with Dr. Tang Tee Tong, she initiated the String Teachers’ Collective, a community for fellow string teachers. She is highly experienced in coaching students (SNYS among others) in chamber and orchestral works, as well as giving education workshops from pre-school to pre-college level. Her teaching philosophy is based upon developing a growth mindset, and that learning and playing music creates a space for anyone to deal with matters of the mind.
Christina plays a 1998 violin, “Opera” made by the Russian violin maker Nikolai Stasov.