This fall, Tianjin Juilliard Pre-College alum Zeyu Zhu (MM ’27, Instrumental and Chamber Music Studies, cello) returned to campus as the first student to complete the full academic journey from Pre-College to Graduate Studies. His path—from Pre-College, to undergraduate studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory in Singapore, and now back to Tianjin Juilliard—has been, in his words, “fulfilling, seamless, and of the highest standards.” We recently met with Zeyu to hear more about his musical journey.
Welcome back to Tianjin Juilliard! How has graduate student life been so far?
Every day feels meaningful! The graduate curriculum is comprehensive—it develops almost every skill a musician needs to thrive in today’s world and exposes me to new perspectives. The next two years will be an enriching period of growth.
You are the first Pre-College alum to return as a graduate student. What motivated your decision to come back?
Tianjin Juilliard has become increasingly engaged in international collaborations, which provides more performance and learning opportunities—such as working with the Juilliard String Quartet and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. I was also excited to study under renowned artists such as Sihao He, cellist of the Shanghai Quartet.
The Chamber Music program’s full scholarship greatly eases the financial burden compared to studying abroad. I received offers from several U.S. conservatories but ultimately, Tianjin Juilliard offered the ideal combination of world-class faculty, strong connections to China’s performing arts industry, and global exposure. It’s the perfect fit for my career goals.
How did your experience at Tianjin Juilliard Pre–College prepare you for undergraduate studies at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music?
I started learning the cello at age seven but only decided to pursue music seriously in high school. When choosing the major, I asked myself: would I rather study other subjects for ten hours, or practice an instrument for ten hours? The answer was clear.
During my two years at the Tianjin Juilliard Pre-College, my professor held me to very high standards, helping me build a solid foundation for my further studies. This made my transition to university much smoother, especially in areas like theory, sight-singing, and ear training.
The Pre-College’s strong focus on chamber music prepared me well for college, where it is an essential part of the curriculum. Plus, the English-speaking environment helped me to adapt easily when studying abroad in Singapore. Those two years made my transition from high school to conservatory smooth and natural.
The Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra recently gave its first concert of the semester. How was that experience?
The first concert was both challenging and rewarding. The repertoire featured two pieces by Smetana and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. I deeply admire our resident conductor, Ken Lam. His logical and clear explanations made rehearsals incredibly efficient. The two-week schedule was intense, but it helped us stay focused and disciplined. It reminded me how Pre-College prepared us to meet undergraduate standards, and now, as a graduate student, we are poised to meet the challenges in the professional world.
What advice would you give to prospective students applying to Tianjin Juilliard’s Pre-College or Graduate programs?
For Pre-College students: stay curious and self-driven. These two qualities are essential—when you reach university, no one will push you but yourself.
For graduate applicants: be consistent. If you give your best effort every day, progress and success will naturally follow.
