A Weekend with Angie Zhang

The Chopin Foundation of the United States welcomed pianist Angie Zhang for an inspiring weekend of performance and mentorship across South Florida.

Saturday afternoon’s CHOPIN for ALL recital at the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center was filled to capacity, with additional guests viewing a livestream from an overflow room. From Margaret Bonds’ powerful Troubled Water to Chopin’s monumental Third Sonata, audiences were fully engaged throughout the program. Many lingered after the performance to greet Angie, share reflections, and capture photos together — a testament to the warmth and connection she fostered from the stage.

Board member Dr. Michael Caldwell reflected on her artistry, noting that her performance of Chopin’s Sonata revealed “new dimensions of Chopin,” reminding listeners not only of the music’s beauty, but of its innovation. He also praised her decision to open with Margaret Bonds, calling the moment “powerful” and deeply resonant for the community.

On Sunday morning, Angie continued the momentum with a masterclass at the Frost School of Music’s Clarke Recital Hall. Working with students in the Frost Preparatory Advanced Piano Program, she challenged them to move beyond accuracy and technique, guiding them toward deeper exploration of tone color, rhythmic vitality, and emotional sincerity. The collaboration reflected the Foundation’s mission to nurture the next generation of American pianists through meaningful artistic exchange.

That afternoon’s recital at Granada Church once again drew a wonderful crowd. Audience members stayed afterward for conversation and photos, and one enthralled listener remarked that Angie “truly channeled Chopin.”

Across performances and pedagogy alike, the weekend embodied what makes the Chopin Foundation’s work so vital: artistry at the highest level and shared generously with community and students alike.