ShowoutWhat's happening in Seattle

Act

Xian Zhang

Xian Zhang
“Zhang has an exceptional ear for balance, as well as the ability to draw the softest, most transparent tones imaginable from the orchestra. …With such skills and obvious audience appeal, Zhang should prove a valuable addition to the Met’s conducting staff.” 2025/26 marks the GRAMMY® and Emmy Award-winning conductor Xian Zhang’s tenth season as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Under her artistic leadership, NJ Symphony won two awards at the mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards in 2022 for their concert films, including “EMERGE”. As of 2025/26, she also becomes the Music Director of Seattle Symphony with whom she has been a long-term collaborator since her debut in 2008. Following her tenure as Music Director of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano between 2009-16, she continues as their Conductor Emeritus. As a guest conductor, Zhang appears regularly with Los Angeles Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra. Her Deutsche Grammophon recording with the latter (Letters for The Future with Time for Three, released 2022) won GRAMMY® awards for Best Contemporary Classical Composition (Kevin Puts’ Contact) and Best Classical Instrumental Solo.

Upcoming on Showout

Videos

Xian Zhang's Path to Music Director
Xian Zhang's Path to Music Director
How conductor Xian Zhang is breaking barriers
How conductor Xian Zhang is breaking barriers
TRANSCEND: An NJSO Concert Film (4K)
TRANSCEND: An NJSO Concert Film (4K)
Proms 2017 - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 'Choral' [Xian Zhang, BBC NOW]
Proms 2017 - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 'Choral' [Xian Zhang, BBC NOW]
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 / Xian Zhang & Seattle Symphony
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 / Xian Zhang & Seattle Symphony
Conductor Xian Zhang on Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde
Conductor Xian Zhang on Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde

Links

Official site

Browse all performers