about

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.

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.

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.

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)