During the Santa Cruz Symphony’s opening concert of the 2025-2026 season, Concertmaster and Artist-in-Residence Nancy Zhou plans to bring structure, mysticism, and storytelling to her interpretation of Scheherazade — Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s work inspired by the Middle Eastern folktale One Thousand and One Nights.
“This is a piece of unbridled narratorial expression,” said Zhou. “I want to share Rimsky-Korsakov’s interest in orientalism and his lush orchestration, mixed with magical realism, as I assume Scheherazade’s role.”
The violinist’s approach to the orchestral suite, which will be performed on Oct. 4 and 5, is a prudent one. “I study the score very carefully,” she said. “I look at the details and consult manuscripts. Then I retell the stories of these individual personalities. I use my experience as a soloist and now a concertmaster.”
This year marks Zhou’s third season as the Santa Cruz Symphony’s concertmaster. She said that sitting to the left of the conductor has given her a new perspective on playing.
“Instead of being enveloped in strings with my back to the woodwinds and brass, I am completely in contact with the latter two sections,” Zhou said. “It makes you realize that every artist is important and has their own role. That’s the essence of music-making.”
Daniel Stewart, conductor and music director of the Santa Cruz Symphony, said he feels a real kinship with Zhou in her approach.
“The best type of colleague you can be is one who makes those around you better. Nancy does that in every rehearsal and every performance. She is an exceptional artist and brings an amazing amount of charisma and fire to all of her music making,” Stewart said.
In addition to Scheherazade, the program will include Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor featuring Principal Cellist Jonah Kim, and Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. The Symphony will preface the opening night concert with a free Middle Eastern-style street party in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.
Santa Cruz Symphony is set to offer four classical programs this season. Running through April 2026, the classical series concerts will feature masterworks from Gustav Holst to Mozart, in addition to contemporary pieces by a pair of local composers, Jaron Lanier and Benjamin Goodwin.
“In every concert, I try to include moments that are familiar and nostalgic, moments of discovery and delight in the unexpected, and moments of wonder and breathtaking beauty that can change lives,” Stewart said.
In 2024, Zhou recorded her debut album, STORIES (re)TRACED. She said the process of making the album taught her many skills that she now brings to live performances. “Recording teaches you to solve problems very quickly and reminds you to play for an audience. I learned to balance being intentional and spontaneous, to get the message of the composer across without losing a sense of play,” Zhou said.
While maintaining a busy soloist’s schedule and serving as Concertmaster, Zhou also teaches young violinists at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The primary message she wants to share with students ties into her own performance style.
“Avoid getting pigeonholed into practicing for perfection. When you practice for communication, you speak to a broader audience,” said Zhou. She added that her mantra is to let the music speak for itself.
“This is easier said than done. But if one takes a holistic approach and empathizes with what the composer went through during their lifetime, that’s when you can convince your listener of their message,” she said. “This is what helps you take them on an emotional journey of communion.”
