About Me

Artist statement

“Slowly brew the hours, true to the passion.”

**Professional Experience**

Zhang Qiyang was born in 1997 in Hefei, Anhui Province, China. He began learning piano at age 7 and classical guitar at age 14. In 2014, he placed fourth in the junior division of the China Guitar Competition. He later enrolled at Beijing Jiaotong University, majoring in Mechanical and Electronic Engineering.

In December 2015, he was diagnosed with focal dystonia—commonly known as “player’s hand”—which overnight erased his guitar playing ability. Over the next two years, he studied anatomy, neuroscience, and brain science on his own, and by early 2017 he had overcome the condition and restored his performance skills. While completing his engineering degree, he continued his classical guitar studies under Mr. Wang Yijin (Nanjing University of the Arts) and Ms. Su Meng (Central Conservatory of Music). In 2018, he won third prize in the Youth Category at the 3rd Altamira International Guitar Festival and the Gold Award in the guitar division of the Hong Kong International Music Festival.

In 2019, he graduated with an excellent graduation project titled *Design of a Built‑in Electrically Driven Omnidirectional Wheel*, earning his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Electronic Engineering. That same year, he switched fields and was admitted to the Nizhny Novgorod Glinka Conservatory in Russia, where he majored in classical guitar performance under Professor Vladimir Mitykov.

In 2020, he gained the favor of the world‑renowned German classical guitarist Tilman Hoppstock and has studied with him ever since.

In 2022, he graduated with distinction, receiving a Master’s degree in classical guitar, and continued at the Glinka Conservatory to pursue a Doctorate in classical guitar performance. During his studies, he gave numerous concerts and won several awards, while actively engaging in online teaching and popularisation of classical guitar. He also served as Professor Mitykov’s teaching assistant and interpreter, gaining extensive pedagogical experience.

In 2024, he completed his final doctoral concert and thesis defence, receiving unanimous praise from the examination committee.

**Teaching Experience**

After graduation, he joined Anhui Vocational College of Art as a classical guitar teacher and also serves as the advisor for the college’s guitar club. He works with students of all ages and levels, and his scientifically grounded teaching philosophy has been highly recognised by both students and peers.

Many students from other provinces receive his professional guidance either in person or online. He has substantial experience in online teaching and a well‑developed educational system. He excels at pinpointing core issues, breaking down difficulties, and focusing on key points for efficient learning. He is competent to teach every stage, from complete beginners to aspiring concert artists.

He has successfully coached students for admission to:

– Detmold University of Music (Germany)

– Nizhny Novgorod Glinka Conservatory (Russia)

– Sichuan Conservatory of Music (China)

– Hefei Normal University (China)

His students have achieved notable competition results:

– Second place in the Youth Category at the 2024 Shenzhen SGC National Guitar Competition.

– First place in the Junior Category at the 2025 Shanghai International Guitar Festival.

– First place in the Adult Category at the 2025 Qinling International Guitar Festival.

**Exploration of Performance Science**

Having suffered from focal dystonia—a condition that has baffled many musicians worldwide—he spent two years studying exercise physiology and anatomy, and through scientific training, he completely cured himself. In July 2024, he independently organised and hosted an online rehabilitation lecture on dystonia for musicians, with over 100 participants, and received unanimous acclaim from all attendees. Subsequently, he has guided more than twenty musicians through rehabilitation training, helping them restore their playing abilities.

In 2026, he continues to study rehabilitation theories and methods with world‑class physical therapists. Combining years of instrumental performance and teaching experience, he has developed a proprietary system of *Musician’s Performance Science*. This system helps players of all ages and levels balance technical training with physical wellbeing, resolve existing pain, loss of control, and technical plateaus, prevent future risks caused by improper practice, and safeguard the careers of professional musicians as well as the dreams of dedicated amateurs.