Ty Zhang

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

Biography of TY Zhang

TY Zhang, one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, made history as the first Chinese winner of the prestigious 2017 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition (GFA-ICAC), the world’s premier guitar competition. His win led to a 50-concert tour across the United States, including his Carnegie Hall debut, and the release of his solo album on Naxos, praised by Classical Guitar Magazine for its “extraordinary mastery and ease.”

In addition to the GFA, TY has claimed top prizes at major international competitions across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., including the Frauchi International Competition (Russia), Changsha International Guitar Competition (China), Schadt String Competition (U.S.), Forum Gitarre Wien (Austria), and the GFA Youth International Competition.

TY has toured extensively as both a soloist and as part of the trailblazing violin-guitar duo ArcoStrum, performing to sold-out audiences across the United States, China, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2023, ArcoStrum became the first violin-guitar ensemble in the 72-year history of the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition to win both the First Prize and the Audience Prize.

Bio

TY Zhang

A dedicated educator, TY holds degrees from The Juilliard School (B.M. & M.M.) and the University of Southern California (D.M.A.) and serves on the classical guitar faculty at the University of California, Irvine.