Chicago-based violinist Henry X. Zheng engages in a vibrant and fulfilling career as a chamber musician, recitalist, orchestral performer, 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 former violinist and founding Executive Director 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, 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 Andrea Bocelli, Billy Idol, Sarah Brightman, and Hansen. As an impassioned proponent of interactive digital media, Henry has had the pleasure of performing in live concert productions of Final Fantasy VII Remake Orchestra World Tour, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess, and the North American premiere of Nier: Automota Live in Concert. Henry can also be heard on Chicago Arts Orchestra’s album release Galant Music from Mexico City featuring the music of Ignacio Jerusalem, and the score of Chicago Film Project’s feature length film Dreaming Grand Avenue, featuring the music of composer Seth Boustead. Henry has also worked as an arranger for Roadrunner Records.
Mr. Zheng 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, is a member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, the American Federation of Musicians, and Chamber Music America.
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.
Enjoy this performance of Olga Neuwirth’s work, ‘Specific Gravity,’ performed with fellow NMC member Amy Wurtz: