Chinese pianist Peng Zhou is a performer, collaborative pianist, educator, and scholar whose career reflects a passion for collaboration, artistic exploration, and music education. Her work has taken her from conservatory training in China to graduate study and professional collaborations across the United States, where she has built a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, ensemble pianist, teacher, and researcher. Whether performing on stage, working alongside fellow musicians, or mentoring students, she believes that music is most meaningful when it brings people together through shared artistic experiences.

Born in Wuhan, China, Zhou received her early professional training at the Middle and High Schools affiliated with the Wuhan Conservatory of Music before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. During her studies, she worked with Professor Zhenrui Jiang, Professor Xiaofeng Zheng, and Professor Cheng Qian, who established the artistic and technical foundation of her musicianship. She later moved to the United States to pursue graduate study, earning Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam under the guidance of Dr. Young-ah Tak. She continued her doctoral training at the University of Oregon, where she studied with Dr. Claire Wachter and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, collaborating with students in voice, horn, bassoon, and harp. She later transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno to continue the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance, studying with Dr. Hyeyeon Park and Dr. James Winn while serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In this role, she collaborates with students and faculty across vocal, instrumental, choral, and wind ensemble programs, experiences that have shaped her development as both a performer and educator.

Collaboration lies at the heart of Zhou's artistic life. She performs regularly with the Nevada Wind Ensemble, appearing in works by Alberto Ginastera, Claude Debussy, Ingrid Stölzel, Warren Benson, James M. David, and other composers. In 2024, she performed in the world premiere of Steve Danyew's And the Cities Rise Like Dreams, commissioned for the University of Nevada, Reno's sesquicentennial celebration and later released internationally on the album Celebrating 150 Years. Alongside her ensemble work, she is an active chamber musician whose repertoire includes works by Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Lalo.

Zhou's performances have earned recognition in international competitions, including top prizes at the Miclot International Music Competition, Swiss International Music Competition, Saint-Saëns International Music Competition, and Berlioz International Music Competition. These achievements have led to invitations to perform in winners' concerts and festivals throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. At the same time, research remains an important part of her artistic practice. Her scholarly work on Robert Schumann, J. S. Bach, and contemporary repertoire examines how historical context and musical analysis can deepen interpretation, an approach that continues to shape her work as both a performer and collaborator.

Teaching has been a constant throughout Zhou's career. Before moving to the United States, she taught private piano lessons and prepared students for conservatory auditions. She has since continued teaching and collaborative piano work at both the University of Oregon and the University of Nevada, Reno, supporting students in lessons, rehearsals, juries, and degree recitals. Beyond the university, she serves as Director of Music Ministry at Saint Catherine of Siena Episcopal Church in Reno, where she directs the choir and leads music for weekly worship. Across every aspect of her work, Zhou is committed to fostering collaboration, encouraging artistic growth, and using music to strengthen connections within both academic and local communities.