Hometown:
Vernon Hills, Illinois
Education:
Northwestern University, Bachelor of Music (2025)
New England Conservatory, Master of Music (2027)
Bio:
Timothy Zhang is a first-year master’s student at New England Conservatory, studying under John Ferrillo. He previously attended Northwestern University, where he completed his undergraduate studies with Michael Henoch and Robert Morgan.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Listening to the CSO play at Ravinia every summer as a kid.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Debussy, Stravinsky, and Barber. Summer Music is a great piece!
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
I actually played clarinet and oboe for about two years before finally switching to oboe.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love taking long hikes and enjoying nature.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose the NRO because it would be a great opportunity to play immense amounts of orchestral repertoire under a rigorous schedule. I’m hoping that this experience will improve my orchestral playing in the future. Breckenridge is also a beautiful place, so I’m hoping to get a chance to explore the area and enjoy my time there.