Toronto-based pianist Jack Zhao is an active performer, collaborative pianist, ballet accompanist, and educator. 

An active performer in both solo and collaborative piano, Zhao’s solo performances include recitals at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of Toronto, with festival appearances at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, Orford Musique, and Kent Blossom Music Festival. As a collaborative pianist, he has worked with vocalists and instrumentalists at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and remains active across Toronto, including regular appearances at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. He has participated in masterclasses with Jean-Yves Thibaudet and has worked with Boris Berman, James Giles, Bernadene Blaha, Jamie Parker, Sara-Davis Beuchner, and Joela Jones.

As a member of the artistic staff at Canada’s National Ballet School, Zhao accompanies dancers daily in the Professional Ballet Program with real-time improvisation. He is a featured pianist for NBS’s Sharing Dance program, providing live music for filmed classes designed to bring accessible movement to older adults across Canada. Zhao is also one of the principal rehearsal pianists preparing NBS students for their roles in the Nutcracker production of the National Ballet of Canada.  

An in-demand clinician and guest speaker, Zhao has been invited to lead chamber coachings at Earl Haig Secondary School and piano masterclasses at Cawthra Park Secondary School. He is also a regular guest presenter at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, speaking about dance accompaniment to undergraduate piano majors. Beyond his institutional work, he previously served as Music Director at Cawthra Park United Church, leading weekly choir rehearsals and services, collaborating with the pastor on liturgical programming, coordinating joint services with neighbouring congregations, and organizing community concerts.

A dedicated educator, Zhao maintains a private teaching studio in downtown Toronto serving students of all ages and levels. In addition to regular performance opportunities, he hosts private group studio classes where students perform for one another, develop the skills to give and receive musical feedback, and foster a sense of community beyond individual practicing. 

Zhao holds a Master of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Evelyne Brancart and served as Associate Instructor, teaching private lessons to advanced undergraduate students and leading group piano classes for non-majors. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, studying with Boris Lysenko and Lydia Wong.