Dr. Ivo Kaltchev
Chair of WIYAMS Artistic Advisory Board
Prizewinner of international piano competitions and a Bösendorfer Concert Artist, pianist Ivo Kaltchev has built a distinguished international career as a recitalist, orchestral soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist. Critics have praised his “formidable technique” (Piano Journal), “genius of rubato” (Diapason), and “big technique” (The Washington Post). Dr. Kaltchev has performed at many renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, St. Petersburg State Philharmonic Hall, Warsaw National Philharmonic Hall, and Bulgaria Hall. He has also appeared at festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with the Shanghai and Harrington String Quartets, pianists Ilana Vered and Milena Mollova, and musicians from the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. His critically acclaimed recordings for Gega New feature works by Charles Griffes, Florent Schmitt, and Claude Debussy. His Griffes recording was praised by Diapason as “the most accomplished interpretation known until now.”
Dr. Francesca Hurst
Member of WIYAMS Artistic Advisory Board
Concert pianist Francesca Hurst captivates audiences with her adventurous programming and vibrant stage presence. I Care If You Listen praised her playing as “never less than exquisitely fluent,” while The Washington Post highlighted her ability to “capture Bernstein’s musical sketches in full timbre.” She performs classical and contemporary repertoire as both a soloist and collaborative artist. Dr. Hurst has performed throughout the United States and internationally in Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, and France. She collaborates with violinist Arman Tigranyan and is a member of Fuse Ensemble. She has also toured with flutist Robert Cart, Polaris Piano Trio, and Great Noise Ensemble. Her festival appearances include the Bang on a Can Music Marathon, Atlantic Music Festival, and Charlotte New Music Festival. During the pandemic, she created Daily Dose of Piano, a 100-day video series featuring repertoire from the Baroque era to the present, including 14 world premieres. She is a Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Artist, and her debut solo album features piano works by women. Dr. Hurst teaches piano and directs the piano pedagogy curriculum at The Catholic University of America. She also serves on the piano faculty of the Orfeo Music Festival in Italy.
Dr. Jinwei Zhang
President & Artistic Director
Dr. Jinwei Zhang is a pianist and arts leader based in Washington, D.C. He serves as President of the International Art Development and Promotion Association (IADPA) and Artistic Director of WIYAMS (Washington International Young Artists Music Series). Through his work, he is committed to creating meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians and building connections through music. Dr. Zhang holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from The Catholic University of America, a Master of Music from Mannes School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music from Sichuan Conservatory of Music. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Chinese and Bulgarian Embassies in Washington, D.C., as well as universities and cultural institutions across the United States. As Artistic Director of WIYAMS, he oversees the artistic planning and development of the series, helping young artists gain performance experience, expand their professional profiles, and connect with new audiences. He believes music is a powerful way to bring people together, encourage cultural exchange, and support the next generation of artists.
Yingjun Amy Chen
Secretary & Operations Director
Yingjun Amy Chen is a pianist, educator, and arts administrator from Guangzhou, China. She serves as Secretary of the International Art Development and Promotion Association (IADPA) and Operations Director of WIYAMS (Washington International Young Artists Music Series), where she supports program operations, artist communications, and event coordination. She began studying piano at the age of four. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Western Michigan University, where she studied with Lori Sims, and a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Alvin Chow. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy at The Catholic University of America under Dr. Ivo Kaltchev. Amy's academic interests include Music Embodiment, exploring how movement, visual elements, and language shape musical expression and emotional response. Passionate about healthy and expressive musicianship, she encourages students to develop thoughtful artistry while fostering a lifelong appreciation for music.
Dr. Xiaoya Gao
Director of Content & Branding
Dr. Xiaoya Gao is an award-winning pianist and music educator from Urumqi, China. She has performed solo and chamber recitals throughout Italy, Austria, and the United States, appearing in cities including Vienna, New York, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Princeton. Her achievements include the Diamond Prize at the Carl Reinecke International Music Competition and the Gold Award at the 2025 Mozart International Music Competition. Dr. Gao holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Advanced Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from New York University, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Piano Performance and History from Lawrence University. A dedicated scholar, her research explores piano pedagogy, Baroque performance practice, and interpretive analysis. As a faculty member at the New School for Music Study, she combines performance, research, and teaching to inspire students of all ages and levels.
Nolan Alexander Ancil
Project Coordinator
Pianist Nolan Alexander Ancil is recognized for his clarity of expression, singing tone, and artistic versatility. He has performed throughout the United States and internationally in South Korea, Italy, and Spain. Highlights include appearances as soloist with the University of Louisville Symphony Orchestra following his Concerto Competition win and performances at the Festival Internacional de Música de Tecla Española and Orfeo Summer Music Festival. A frequent performer with WIYAMS, Nolan has appeared as both soloist and chamber musician at embassies and cultural venues in Washington, D.C. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at The Catholic University of America under Dr. Ivo Kaltchev. Nolan holds a Master of Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso. As an educator, he emphasizes strong technique, musical expression, theory, and aural skills while fostering a lifelong love of music.
Dr. Xiaojun Zhang
Communications Coordinator
Xiaojun Zhang is a pianist and educator originally from China who began studying piano at an early age. She has performed in international music festivals, chamber music events, and solo competitions, earning recognition for her expressive artistry and technical precision. Xiaojun received extensive musical training in both China and the United Kingdom, completing graduate studies with faculty from the University of Birmingham and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Her studies focused on Romantic, Impressionist, and contemporary repertoire, while collaborations with musicians from Asia, Europe, and North America broadened her artistic perspective. This diverse educational background has shaped her nuanced understanding of musical styles and historical traditions, informing both her performance and teaching. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Piano Pedagogy at The Catholic University of America under the guidance of Dr. Nikita Fitenko.
Pianist Mary-Victoria Voutsas has performed at distinguished venues including the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and Terrace Theatre, the Harvard Hellenic Center, universities, and embassies throughout the United States. She has appeared as a soloist and collaborative artist with ensembles such as the Peabody Chamber Orchestra and musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra. Recent highlights include serving as pianist for the celebration of the 75th NATO Summit and completing a ten-week artist residency with the World Bank. Her recordings and arrangements of works by Manos Hadjidakis and other Hellenic composers are available on major streaming platforms. Voutsas holds doctoral and master’s degrees in piano performance and pedagogy and has studied with Nikita Fitenko, Yuliya Gorenman, and Tatyana Hearne. Her honors include the Bronze Medal at the 2023 Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition and top prizes with Salon Trio at international chamber music competitions. She currently teaches theory and serves as a collaborative pianist at Virginia Commonwealth University and as pianist-in-residence at the National Church.
Dr. Mary-Victoria Voutsas
Development & Partnerships Coordinator
Xueer Gao
Visual Designer
Xue’er Gao is a visual artist working with artist books, printmaking, papermaking, and sculptural installations. Her practice explores the material and structural possibilities of paper, investigating how traditional book forms can expand into spatial and poetic compositions. She received her MFA in Book Arts and Printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and her BFA in Studio Art from James Madison University. Gao’s work often combines handmade paper, natural dyes, pigments, and ink with processes such as cutting, folding, layering, and repetition. Through these methods, she creates modular systems that transform flat surfaces into dynamic sculptural landscapes. Her research draws inspiration from traditional Chinese crafts, particularly papermaking and binding traditions, while integrating contemporary material experimentation. By working between structure and fluidity, order and variation, Gao examines how individual units can accumulate into larger visual and conceptual systems. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, libraries, and cultural institutions across the United States.