MMAG – LAUREATE GALA: Artist Spotlight – Kaiwei Zhi

Laureates Gala, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
In this Artist Spotlight, we feature Kaiwei Zhi, one of the exceptional artists from our international Laureates Gala. These artists, hailing from around the world, joined us in New York for in-depth interviews with Steve Robinson, legendary radio producer and host.

🎶 About Kaiwei Zhi
Kaiwei Zhi is a New York–based pianist whose career spans concerto, recital, and chamber appearances worldwide. Early studies in Kyiv led to a concerto debut at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and performances with the State Orchestra of Ukraine. After advanced work in Paris, he moved to the U.S., earning a Professional Studies certificate at the Manhattan School of Music with the late Phillip Kawin and later continuing with Spencer Myer. Career highlights include a 2019 opening appearance in Weill Recital Hall, a 2020 solo recital at Carnegie Hall, Debussy’s Fantasie with University City Symphony, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G with the Honored Academic Symphony Orchestra of Ukrainian Radio (2023), Bortkiewicz’s Left-Hand Concerto recorded and broadcast in Kyiv (2025), and Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto at Carnegie Hall with the New York Chamber Players. Repertoire staples also include Brahms’s Paganini Variations, Albéniz’s Iberia (“Triana”), Liszt’s Concerto No. 1, and more.

🔗 Learn more about Kaiwei Zhi:
https://www.kaiweizhi.com/

🎤 About the Gala Auditions
When you apply to the Sound Espressivo Gala Auditions, you're treated as a complete artist.
You choose your own repertoire.
You're interviewed to connect with audiences on a personal level.
You receive live feedback from world-class judges — often like a mini masterclass.
Our programs aim to present you not only as a performer but as a fully formed artist and individual.

🌍 Learn more and apply:
https://www.soundespressivocompetitio...

https://www.soundespressivocompetitio...

https://colorchestra.com

🎧 About Steve Robinson
Steve Robinson is a veteran American radio executive and producer, known for his leadership at WFMT (Chicago), WBUR, WGBH, WCRB, and more. He brings decades of broadcasting excellence to these interviews, connecting deeply with each artist’s story.

🎬 Production Credits
Today’s broadcast was brought to you by the VCHS Production Team:
Frane Rušinović, Ante Božić-Kudrić, Chris Au, Jennifer Wang, Marko Borna Torre, Krisztian Palagyi, James Welch, Anna Ouspenskaya, Anastasia Sydorenko, Fedor Ouspensky, and Igor Zubkovsky.

🌐 Learn more about Virtual Concert Halls:
https://virtualconcerthalls.com/