Hailing from the humble beginnings of rural China, Qianyu Zhang — an innovative accordion virtuoso and the founder of the London Tango Festival — transcends geographical and musical boundaries to redefine accordion music for the contemporary global stage. At the tender age of four, Qianyu embarked on what would become a transformative musical odyssey, marked by her unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit.
Her early years were characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, traveling over 2,000 kilometers biweekly on trains to study at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. This rigorous training paid off, earning her various national and global accordion awards and the coveted “Young Chinese Artist” title from China's Ministry of Culture.
Qianyu’s journey led her to London, a city that became the canvas for her innovative musical expressions. At the Royal Academy of Music’s Master programme, she not only graduated with distinction but also co-founded the Nuevo Tango Quintet. This ensemble, celebrated for its fresh take on tango music, performed live on BBC Radio 3, capturing the hearts of listeners with its vibrant accordion-led melodies. She also performed in Wigmore Hall for her solo pieces, collaborated with Royal Opera House composers, and also performed in concerts conducted by the famous Icelandic conductor Ashkenazy.

Qianyu’s innovative endeavours commulate with the groundbreaking London Tango Festival that she founded, which united Argentine’s Grammy-award nominated tango musicians with those of London to explore and celebrate contemporary tango music, with the accordion at its core. Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, she is researching in the future possibilities of accordion. Her vision is to revitalise accordion in today's music scene and to bring new life into multicultural music.

In April 2025, she was invited to join the Asian Art Association Singapore (Traditional Western Instruments).

For me, music is a medium of deep connection—a way to explore human emotion, cultural identity, and the spiritual world. As an accordionist, I am particularly drawn to the textures of sound and the relationship between breath and the flow of energy. I believe that every instrument carries cultural memory, and the polyphonic nature and physical expressiveness of the accordion allow me to move freely between tradition and innovation. In both creation and performance, I seek an organic form of expression—one that goes beyond simple reproduction and resonates with the audience on a deeper level.

Qianyu Zhang began studying the accordion at the age of four. She graduated from both the Secondary School and the Undergraduate Department of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She later pursued her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in the United Kingdom with a scholarship and continued with a doctoral degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, also supported by a scholarship. Her research focuses on the performance and development of the free-bass accordion in tango music. Qianyu is a founding member of the Nuevo Tango Quintet and has performed on BBC Radio 3. She also founded the London Tango Festival, which promotes tango music in the UK. She has received several international accolades, including recognition at the Klingenthal International Accordion Competition in Germany and selection as a finalist in the accordion category of China’s Golden Bell Award. In 2024, Qianyu was named to the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in the arts.