Overview
Ziqing (Emma) Zhuang is a Ph.D. student in Music and Sound Studies at Cornell University. Her academic interests focus on German-Austrian musical cultures in the long 18th century, particularly the circles of Mozart and performance practice of early keyboards. Her BA thesis and editorial project on Joseph Weigl’s Venere e Marte explores the life and musical language of the composer, who succeeded Antonio Salieri as Hofkapellmeister in Vienna.
Born and raised in Nanjing, China, Emma came to the United States for her undergraduate studies at Vassar College, where she double majored in music and mathematics. At Vassar, she studied piano with touring pianist Anna Polonsky, performed regularly in solo and chamber recitals, and appeared as a soloist with the Vassar College Orchestra. Her excellence in academics and performance was recognized with the Frances Walker Prize for the greatest proficiency in piano, as well as the Karolyn Holler Scholarship, the Ann Cornelison Fellowship, the Kate Chittenden Memorial Scholarship, and the Lucia V. Torian Lesson Scholarship. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Emma served as co-president of the early music ensemble Vassar Camerata, where she directed the group on harpsichord and organ. She also enjoys playing viola da gamba and recorders.