Violinist sharpens skills with Aspen orchestra

The sounds of orchestras and chamber ensembles filled Ning Zhang’s summer as the senior viola performance major attended the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado.

During the program, she participated in orchestral, operatic and chamber music projects to advance her skill level.

“This experience became an important stage in my artistic and professional development,” Zhang said.

She attended the Aspen Music Festival and School from June 25 to Aug. 24, where she worked with the Aspen Festival Orchestra and the Aspen Chamber Orchestra. She found this opportunity online and her major professor, Chris Ferrara, encouraged her to apply to the festival.

“Each orchestra exposed me to different rehearsal styles, repertoire demands, meaning difficulty or variety of music performed, and ensemble expectations,” she said.  Zhang performed in major orchestral concerts, a full opera production and a spotlight recital.

She appeared with the Aspen Festival Orchestra in the world premiere of Siddhartha, She, a new opera by a Grammy-winning composer on Aug. 2.

“This experience deepened my understanding of contemporary music-making and the collaborative process behind bringing a new work to life,” Zhang said.

With dedication to learn, she also performed in three productions of Mozart’s Così fan tutte, collaborating with an internationally renowned soprano in her directorial debut and the conductor of the Houston Grand Opera.

In addition, she had the opportunity to be featured on a student spotlight recital, where she performed Schubert’s Trout Quintet and Rebecca Clarke’s Viola Sonata.

“These experiences strengthened my confidence and expressive control as a soloist,” Zhang said. “Mozart’s Così fan tutte, a well-known Mozart opera, was one of my most meaningful projects.”

While in Aspen, Zhang also studied with Professor James Dunham, who teaches viola at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas.  His guidance had a profound influence on her approach to sound, phrasing, and musical intention.

“Working in Aspen’s fast-paced and highly competitive environment pushed me to refine my practice habits, improve my adaptability and raise my artistic standards,” Zhang said. “I developed a deeper awareness of sound, ensemble communication and musical intention.”

Outside of attending the music festival, Zhang explored downtown Aspen and rode the chairlift to see the Maroon Bells mountain. She also made friends from around the world.

Zhang was awarded a Passes and Lessons scholarship and a festival lessons teacher program. She received an offer to join the New World Symphony as a substitute for the 2025-26 season.

This experience at Aspen ensured her goal of pursuing graduate studies in viola performance and continuing her artistic pursuits in professional musical settings.

“I am especially grateful for my major teacher at CMU, Chris Ferrara, whose mentorship has been central to my development as a violist. I am also deeply thankful for the consistent support and encouragement of Jamie Fiste, Eric Tucker, Zhao Wang and Zhang's family, as they believed in me to prepare myself for the challenges of the Aspen Music Festival and School,” she said.