Violinist and educator Coco Ziyao Sun has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician at premier international venues. She recently won first prize at the GOCCA International Artist Competition, second prize at the Hellam Young Artist’s Competition, and third prize at the American Virtuoso International Music Competition. She was also a prizewinner of the Pearl & Julius Young Music Competition and won the Golden Bell Competition at age nine. Ms. Sun brings both passion and nuanced depth to her performances. 

Ms. Sun began studying violin at the age of four, training as a professional musician from a young age. She attended the Middle School of the Central Conservatory in 2009 and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Catherine Cho and Joel Smirnoff. She recently graduated from the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

An active performer, Ms. Sun has appeared at venues in the United States and abroad, including Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, Severance Hall, the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, and Zhongshan Concert Hall. She spends her summers immersed in chamber music at the Meadowmount School of Music, Aspen Music Festival and School, Kneisel Hall, and Taos School of Music. Ms. Sun has worked with prominent figures in classical music, including Marin Alsop, David Chan, Peter Oundjian, and Long Yu. As an orchestral musician, she is a substitute for the China Philharmonic, China NCPA Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. In 2019, she became a Fellow of the Montclair Orchestra and served as Concertmaster of the New York String Orchestra Seminar under Maestro Jaime Laredo.