Zhiwei Ni began playing the clarinet at the age of nine under the tutelage of renowned clarinet educator Fan Lei. His musical journey has taken him through distinguished institutions, including Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied with Emil Khudyev, and Colburn Music Academy, where he worked with Yehuda Gilad. In 2020, he was admitted to the Eastman School of Music with a full scholarship and is currently pursuing his studies under Professor Michael Wayne. Zhiwei has earned numerous prizes, including Second Prize at the Third Central Conservatory of Music International Mozart Clarinet Competition (2016), First Prize at the China National Clarinet Competition in Qingdao, and Second Prize at the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition (2020). His awards also include First Prize in the China-Spain International Music Competition (2021), the Grand Cash Prize at the Rising Star Berlin International Music Competition (2021), and recognition as a prizewinner in the 2023 ICA International Clarinet Competition. In 2022, he was selected as a candidate for the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition. An active orchestral musician, Zhiwei performed with the China Youth Symphony Orchestra (NYO-China) during its European tour in 2019 and 2020. He has participated in esteemed festivals, including the Bowdoin and Sarasota Music Festivals, as a fellowship member, and most recently joined the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, collaborating with renowned conductor and pianist Christoph Eschenbach. This February, Zhiwei will be featured as an artist-in-residence on Minnesota Public Radio’s Young Artist program, further establishing his reputation as a rising clarinetist of exceptional talent.