KLARA CHENG

程琦荃

Klara Qiquan Cheng

Born on July 3, 2007, in Winterthur, Zurich, Klara Qiquan Cheng began her musical journey at the Alato Illnau-Effretikon music school, studying piano with Dominique Bertschinger and violin with Máté Visky (2010–2018).

She later continued her education at the Zurich Conservatory under Philip A. Draganov before refining her artistry with Xiaoming Wang, concertmaster of the Philharmonia Zurich.

Her exceptional talent earned her admission as the youngest student to the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) in 2023, where she studies under Professor Rudolf Koelman.

At age nine, Klara won first prize and a special prize at the Zurich Music Competition, followed by first prizes at the Swiss Youth Music Competition (SJMW) in both piano and violin, as well as second place at the International Stradivari Competition in Brunnen. Further accolades include multiple first prizes with distinction at the SJMW and the Grand Special Prize at the International Allegra Youth Competition (2022).

Klara’s international career has taken her to major concert halls and festivals worldwide. Since the age of ten, she has regularly toured China, performing in various metropolitan cities with the Silkroad Chamber Soloists.

In 2025, at age 17, she made her orchestral debut in Chengdu, performing Dvořák’s Romance with the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra. She has also appeared as a soloist with esteemed ensembles such as Camerata Zurich and Camerata Menuhin.

In addition to her concert career, Klara has recorded multiple CDs. At age 16, she released her debut recording of Bach’s Double Concerto with Rudolf Koelman. At age 17, she followed up with a second album featuring 16 pieces for violin and piano.

A passionate chamber musician, she is an active member of the LGT Young Soloists and frequently performs at leading festivals across Europe and Asia. She is also a scholarship recipient at the International Menuhin Music Academy, where she studies with Oleg Kaskif, Renaud Capuçon, and Guillaume Chilemme, and receives chamber music coaching from Gábor Takács-Nagy, Pablo de Navéran, and Enrico Onofri.

Beyond performing, Klara regularly participates in masterclasses with world-renowned professors such as Ana Chumachenco, Ingolf Turban, and Alexander Gilman.

She is also the youngest representative of the Shanghai Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Youth Association.

With her exceptional talent and rapid ascent in the classical music world, Klara Qiquan Cheng is recognized as one of the most promising violinists of her generation.

curriculum vitae

Early Life and Education

Klara Qiquan Cheng was born in Winterthur, Zurich, and holds dual Swiss and Chinese nationality. Her early education began in Illnau, Zurich, where she attended kindergarten (2012–2014) and primary school (2014–2020). She then studied at Hohe Promenade for lower secondary school before enrolling at MNG Rämibühl & Kunst- und Sportgymnasium PreCollege.

Higher Education

In 2023, Klara was admitted as the youngest student to the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Violin under Rudolf Koelman. She is also a scholarship recipient at the International Menuhin Music Academy (IMMA) and, since 2024, has been concurrently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Economics at UniDistance Suisse.

Musical Training

Klara’s musical journey began early. She studied violin with Máté Visky and piano with Dominique Bertschinger at the Music School Alato Illnau-Effretikon (2010–2018). She continued violin studies with Philip A. Draganov at the Music School Conservatory Zurich (2019–2021) and later with Xiaoming Wang, Concertmaster of the Philharmonia Orchestra, Zurich Opera House (2021–2023). From 2022 to 2023, she also studied piano with Dmitri Demiashkinand music theory with Prof. Martin Wettstein at ZHdK.

Her exceptional talent led her to PreCollege ZHdK and Kunst- und Sportgymnasium Rämibühl, where she achieved highest marks in the entrance exam. Since 2023, she has been studying with Rudolf Koelman, Oleg Kaskiv, and Renaud Capuçon.

Awards and Honors

Klara’s talent has been recognized through numerous national and international awards, including:

2017: Zurich Level Test 4 (Sponsorship award & Distinction) at age 9.
2018: 1st place & special prize in the Zurich Music Competition (Organ & Violin Duo).
2019: 1st prize at the Swiss Youth Music Competition (Organ & Violin Duo), 2nd prize at the International Stradivari Contest Brunnen.
2021: 1st prize (maximum points) at the Zurich Music Competition; 2nd prize in Piano III category.
2022: Grand Special Prize at the International Allegra Youth Competition.
2023: 1st prize (Prix Rotary), 1st prize with distinction at SJMW (Duo & Quartet categories), and 1st prize (maximum points) at Zurich Chamber Music Competition. Youngest Bachelor student at ZHdK (full marks in audition), full scholarship at IMMA, recipient of the Ruth-Burkhalter Foundation scholarship, and 2nd prize at the Singapore International Music Competition.
2024: Recorded debut CD – Bach’s Double Concerto (BWV 1043 & 1060) with Silkroad Chamber Soloistsunder Rudolf Koelman. Became youngest member of the Shanghai Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Youth Association.

Performances and Tours

Klara has an extensive international performance portfolio:

2017: China debut tour (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) with Prof. Qiling Chen (flute) & Prof. Ulrich Koella (piano).
2019: China concert tour (Shanghai, Chengdu, Wuxi, Changzhi). Performed with Winterthur Youth Symphony Orchestra (WJSO) at Winterthur Town Hall (age 12).
2020: Concert with WJSO at Winterthur Town Hall (Mozart’s Haffner Symphony, Ibert Flute Concerto).
2021: Youngest Zurich Youth Symphony Orchestra (JSOZ) member (age 14), touring Vienna, Graz, St. Wolfgang, Salzburg, and Zurich (Venues: Vienna Musikverein, Tonhalle Zurich).
2022: Tonhalle Zurich, South Korea tour (JSOZ), and Schloss Höch Castle Concert (Mendelssohn Violin Concerto).
2023: Solo recital in Zurich, performances with Camerata Zurich, concerts at International Music Academy Liechtenstein, and solo performances in Italy and St. Moritz. Also performed at KKL Lucerne, Gstaad Baroque Academy, and toured with LGT Young Soloists, ZHdK Strings, and Menuhin Academy.
2024 (Fall): China Tour with Silkroad Chamber Soloists (Xiamen, Nanning, Guangzhou, Wuxi).
2025: Solo debut at Victoria Hall, Geneva, with Menuhin Academy (Fondation Patiño).
2025 (Spring): China Tour (Chengdu Symphony Orchestra, Guiyang, Taiyuan, Guangzhou, Sanya) with Silkroad Chamber Soloists.

CD Recordings

Klara’s growing discography showcases her artistry:

2024 (Age 16): Debut CD – Bach’s Double Concerto (BWV 1043 & 1060) with Silkroad Chamber Soloists, under the direction of Rudolf Koelman.
2025 (Age 17): Solo CD – "16 Pieces for Violin and Piano", featuring a diverse selection of violin repertoire.

Masterclasses

Klara has refined her skills through master classes with leading musicians:

Prof. Philip A. Draganov, Prof. Jose G. Flores, Bartlomiej Niziol, Barbara Doll, Xiaoming Wang
Prof. Alexander Gilman, Prof. Ning Feng, Weiwei
International Music Academy Liechtenstein (Intensive weeks with Prof. Ana Chumachenco & Prof. Ingolf Turban)