Bio
Chicago-based violinist Henry X. Zheng engages in a vibrant and fulfilling career as a chamber musician, recitalist, orchestral performer, educator, and arts administrator. Performances have taken Mr. Zheng across the United States and to stages around the world, including venues in China, Italy, and Mexico. Recent awards include residency at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and an Individual Artists Project Grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
As a chamber musician, Henry performs regularly with Access Contemporary Music, and is the co-founder of Duo Forzando. Henry is also the founding Executive Director and former violinist of Lakeshore Rush. Other highlights include performances with the three-time Grammy Award nominated Spektral Quartet, the Kontras Quartet, and National Heritage Fellowship award winner Rahim Alhaj.
In his orchestral career, Mr. Zheng has performed with many of the top orchestras in the region, including the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Opera Theater, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Bella Voce, Ars Viva, New Millenium Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Currently, Henry also serves as Principal Second Violin of the Highland Park Strings.
Unrestricted by genre lines, Henry has also accompanied critically acclaimed and internationally recognized artists such as The Eagles, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Idol, Sarah Brightman, Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra, Hansen, and many more. As an impassioned proponent of interactive digital media, Henry has had the pleasure of performing in live concert productions of the North American premiere of NieR: Automota Live in Concert, the Final Fantasy VII: Remake Orchestra World Tour, and The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess. Album credits include Access Contemporary Music’s Composer Alive, Lakeshore Rush’s debut album Moving Parts, and Chicago Arts Orchestra’s Galant Music from Mexico City featuring the music of Ignacio Jerusalem. Film credits include Chicago Film Project’s feature length film Dreaming Grand Avenue (featuring the music of composer Seth Boustead), appearances on two episodes the PBS series Songs About Buildings and Moods, and Spike Lee’s Chiraq. Henry has also worked as an arranger for Roadrunner Records.
As an educator, Mr. Zheng currently serves on the faculty of the Merit School of Music and is the owner of Zheng Violin Studios. Additionally, Mr. Zheng also teaches violin at three Chicago Public Schools and one Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School.
Henry is a staunch advocate for environmental justice and is a member of Citizen’s Climate Lobby. Henry also serves as a member of the New Music Chicago Finance Committee, and is a member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, the American Federation of Musicians, Chamber Music America, and the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
In his spare time, Henry enjoys playing video games, spending time in the kitchen, reading comic books, and brightly colored things. Henry resides on the North Side of Chicago with his partner and their beloved big orange cat, Tommy.