About

Eddie Zheng is a “rising star” (American Guild of Organists) in the world of concert organ music. Driven by a passion to bring the beauty and grandeur of organ music to wider audiences, Eddie has traveled the world, enthralling audiences with his artistry and musical sensitivity in performances across the United States, Canada, France, and China.

Eddie’s performances are characterized by exceptional musicality and technical mastery and have been “rapturously received” by diverse audiences. His 2023 performance of Elgar’s Organ Sonata at the Spoleto L’Organo Festival was noted as “ranking as one of the best I’ve ever heard [...] he had all the panache the piece calls for; the last movement for once was fast enough, the first movement imperial in its splendor, and the two slow movements tender and lyrical” (Murray Somerville, L’Organo Chair).

With a focus on the works of J.S. Bach, French and English symphonic organ music, and innovative new commissions for the instrument, Eddie’s musical approach features a uniquely lyrical and articulate touch, combined with insightful spoken notes that enhance his audiences’ experience of hearing challenging staples of the organ repertoire. This approach to performance and programming has earned him accolades in several prominent competitions, including first place awards at the 2018 Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition and the 2019 AGO Quimby Northeast Regional Competition. In 2023, Eddie was the recipient of the Juilliard School’s Joseph W. Polisi Award for outstanding artistry and leadership in community engagement.

In addition to his concertizing, Eddie is dedicated to broadening the appreciation of organ music and engaging with audiences of all ages through service playing and teaching. He is currently serving as Assistant Organist at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York, where he contributes to the church’s renowned Anglo-Catholic liturgy and service music. Eddie has previously served as Organ Scholar at Rye Presbyterian Church and Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, and as Associate Organist at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and most recently, at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich, CT. Eddie also maintains a thriving teaching studio where he can share his knowledge and passion with organ students of all ages, helping to ensure the future of organ playing.

Born and raised in New York City, Eddie's musical journey began with piano studies from age 5, before attending the Juilliard School's Pre-College division for organ, studying with Dr. Matthew Lewis. He subsequently earned his combined bachleor’s and master’s degree at Juilliard with renowned organist Paul Jacobs, and currently continues his study with Jacobs in the Juilliard Artist Diploma program. Throughout his career, he has been fortunate to study with several of the world's most respected organists, including Peter Richard Conte, Hans-Ola Ericsson, Nathan Laube, Philippe Lefebvre, Alan Morrison, Thomas Murray, Peter Sykes, and Johann Vexo.

A creative force in the world of organ music, Eddie is constantly exploring new ways to bring the beauty of the organ to new audiences and contexts. Since 2016, Eddie has performed regularly in Beijing, China to young audiences, many of whom heard the organ for the first time in concerts at National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Wangfujing Church, Beijing Concert Hall, and Beijing Golden Sail Concert Hall. A part-time resident of the Catskills in New York, Eddie founded the 'Organ Music in the Catskills' series in 2021 (now planning its sixth concert), which brings recitals featuring organ, piano, and vocal music to enthusiastic audiences in the region. In September 2022, Eddie premiered a work composed by Juilliard composer J.P. Redmond, titled Ricercar, commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the composer-performer duo. Under the baton of Jeffrey Milarsky and James Baker, Eddie performed with the Juilliard AXIOM orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in December 2022, fueling his passion for collaborating with other artists and ensembles.

2023 highlights include performances at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina, at Wesleyan University’s celebration of Wagner’s music transcribed for the organ, and at the Geneva Presbyterian Church Organ Festival in Laguna Woods, California. Most recently, Eddie traveled to Beijing for a solo recital and gave a masterclass with China Conservatory of Music organ students, before embarking to France for a masterclass with Johann Vexo and a performance on the Cavaille-Coll organs of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Another new organ work commissioned by Eddie, titled MUD by Nichagarn Chiracharasporn, will be performed in October 2023.

In his free time, Eddie indulges his passions for fixing motorcycles, reading books, and brewing espresso.