Hometown:
Long Beach, California
Education:
Andrews University, Bachelor of Arts (2023)
California State University Long Beach, Master of Music (2026)
Bio:
Zoe holds a BA in music and psychology and is pursuing a Master of Music in performance, studying with Moni Simeonov. Zoe is a fellow with the California Young Artists Symphony and has served as Concertmaster for Andrews University and Miami Music Festival Orchestras. She is a violinist in Bob Cole Conservatory’s University String Quartet. Outside of music, Zoe enjoys baking and origami.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My first Los Angeles Suzuki Institute summer chamber music workshop — I discovered the exhilaration of creating sound with other musicians and have never been able to let that out of my life!
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Some of my favorites include Brahms Piano Quintet No. 1, Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6, and Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2. There’s a deep-seated emotion brought to life in these pieces that communicates the most wrenching and beautiful parts of human experience without need for words.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I am fascinated by the psychology of learning and the ways understanding it can help musicians perform at peak ability.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I LOVE vegan baking (and sharing my concoctions with other people just to see them be happy), hiking, running, trying new foods, and having existential discussions with thoughtful people.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I intend for orchestral work to be a large part of my career, and I want to be immersed in an environment of creating high-quality music with musicians who are striving to achieve mastery over the craft. Working with the experienced faculty and conductors NRO brings in will also give me the experience and perspectives I need to be an effective contribution to the music world. I am enthralled with the opportunity to learn standard works in the orchestral literature, as I will take these with me for the remainder of my career.