Biography

Amely Zhou is a dedicated and multifaceted musician, specializing in erhu and guzheng performance, adjudication, and conducting. She graduated from York University with a Specialized Honours B.A. in Music in 2014 and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology in 2023. Amely began studying conducting under Lisette Canton and Mark Chambers and has participated in conducting programs such as the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium in 2016, UBC Wind Conducting Symposium in 2017, and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Conducting Masterclass in 2018 and 2019.

From 2014 to 2016, Amely served as the conductor of the Toronto Chinese Youth Orchestra. From 2019 to 2020, she was Music Director of the Ontario Multicultural Music Association’s Mix Instruments Youth Orchestra, furthering her dedication to nurturing musical talent in diverse communities. In 2017, she assumed the role of Music Director for the Canadian Chinese Orchestra (CCO), leading the orchestra on tours in China, Edmonton and performing at prestigious venues such as the Markham Theatre, Sony Centre, and Mississauga Living Arts Centre. Amely Zhou is also the co-conductor of the NextGen Youth Orchestra at the Laurier Academy of Arts and Music.

Amely’s adjudication experience includes serving as a judge for the 16th Chinese Arts and Literary Contest for Youth in 2016, the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival in 2017 and 2019, MusicFest Canada in 2023, and the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival in 2024.

As a soloist, Amely has achieved significant recognition, including winning the concerto competition at York University where she performed "Red Plum Capriccio" with the York University Symphony Orchestra. She was also invited to perform with the Canadian Sinfonietta. Amely has performed numerous new works composed for her by international composers and has contributed to over twenty albums, helping to promote global appreciation for Chinese music.

In 2020, Amely led a multi-ethnic ensemble called Estro-genesis, performing a series of Canadian works for the Toronto Music Garden’s summer music program. She also directed the Borderless Music project and produced a music documentary with the Small World Music Society, documenting the intersections of different musical cultures. She is a member of the Labyrinth Ensemble and has extensive experience collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds.

Updated 2024.