Christopher Zandieh
How has winning the Piano Studies Concerto Competition impacted your journey as a pianist, and what does it mean to be featured in the upcoming NYU Orchestra Fall Concert on September 27, as a result?
Winning the award is definitely something I don’t take for granted. I cherish every opportunity I get to enter a competition or perform with an orchestra. Only a small number of NYU instrumentalists get to say they’ve performed with the NYU Orchestra, so to be one of them is an esteemed honor.
What were the key challenges you faced in preparing for both the competition and the orchestra performance?
Preparing for the competition was a unique experience, mostly because I had put the Tchaikovsky Concerto away for a while. When I began preparing for the competition, a lot of the intricate details surrounding my interpretation of the piece had changed, so it was interesting to see my musical thoughts develop over time. Preparing for the orchestral performance is quite a difficult task. Any time I get to work with an orchestra, I try to be very aware of my surroundings. After such a long time of playing this piece by myself, I’m now accompanied by an ensemble of more than 50 wonderful musicians. So I think it’s very important to understand the environment of where I’m performing and who I’m performing with.
How has your experience as a Piano Studies student shaped your artistic voice, and what unique opportunities have you encountered here that have influenced your growth as a musician?
Being a Piano Studies student at NYU has been a surreal experience. I am very grateful that I get to study with an incredibly talented group of faculty members, including my private teacher, Professor Eduardus Halim. Along with being mentored by fantastic teachers, collaborating with such great musicians has definitely shaped my story as a musician.
Your plans post graduation (BM`26)?
My goal after I undergraduate from NYU is to attend medical school and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, specifically a surgeon. While I will not be pursuing music as a profession, I plan on keeping music as an intricate part of my life. I am very grateful that the piano is something I can keep in my life forever, now matter how old I get.
For tickets to see Christopher perform with the NYU Orchestra September 27, visit our Events Calendar.
