​About me...

My name is Aya Zhang. I am a composer, vocalist, music educator, and music event organizer originally from the mountainous region of Xiangxi in Hunan Province, China. This area is home to both Tujia and Miao cultures, which have deeply shaped the way I listen to and create music.

I grew up in a musical family. My mother worked at a local cultural center, teaching vocal music to children and researching traditional folk music. My father was a university voice professor and choral conductor. From a young age, I spent much of my time in rehearsal halls and classrooms, surrounded by the sounds of singing, practicing, and everyday musical life. These experiences shaped my early connection to expression, teaching, and sound.

I earned both my bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. I later received a national scholarship to study at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy in Hungary, where I further developed my understanding of early childhood music education. Over the past 15 years, I have taught a wide range of students, from infants and preschoolers to school-age children and university-level music majors. My teaching covers early childhood music, vocal training, ear training, choral conducting, music pedagogy, and popular voice.

My creative journey began with writing music for children. I have written many songs for schools, studios, and publishers, and have also developed internal teaching materials for education programs. In recent years, I have expanded into choral and instrumental composition. In 2024, I completed my first choral work, which received recognition in a national competition in China and was later published by Temperament Music（乐律文化）, a professional digital platform for choral scores. My works have also received multiple awards in professional writing and performance contests across China.

In addition to teaching and composing, I plan and lead music events such as children's performances, parent-child concerts, and folk music-based community programs. I also design and deliver music workshops and talks for educators, parents, and families. I regularly travel between China and the United States for artistic work, field research, and collaborative projects that support cultural and educational exchange.

I now live in the United States with my nine-year-old child. I am the founder of Musical Moms, a grassroots project that supports mothers through songwriting, singing, and creative connection. I believe music can help us feel grounded, supported, and deeply connected to ourselves and to others, across time, culture, and life stage.