About Mr. Hou
Zhengyi Hou 侯正弈
Zhengyi Hou, a harpsichordist, pianist, music educator, musicologist, and early keyboard instrument builder, was born and raised in Shanghai, China. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in music education and musicology from Shanghai Normal University, Mr. Hou moved to the United States in 2017. While originally trained as a pianist, he developed a profound interest in harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments during his undergraduate studies.
Mr. Hou studied piano with esteemed mentors, including renowned Chopin interpreter Edward Auer from 2015 to 2018, and 2001 Cleveland Competition winner Roberto Plano from 2018 to 2021. On the harpsichord, he trained under the guidance of Elisabeth Wright, a distinguished harpsichordist and fortepianist, from 2018 to 2021. Currently, Mr. Hou is pursuing a Doctorate in Harpsichord Performance at Stony Brook University, studying with acclaimed harpsichordist Arthur Haas. He also holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and a Performer Diploma in Harpsichord Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Bloomington.
As an early keyboard instrument builder, Mr. Hou was trained by renowned harpsichord maker Richard Auber, owner of Zuckermann Harpsichords International in Stonington, Connecticut, a leading harpsichord manufacturer in North America. He served as the early keyboard instrument curator at the Jacobs School of Music from 2019 to 2021 and is currently the resident harpsichordist, instrument builder, and head of the action department at the Zuckermann Stonington Workshop. Mr. Hou has maintained instruments for esteemed institutions such as Carnegie Hall, the Flint Collection of antique harpsichords, Amherst Early Music Festival, Virginia Baroque Academy, Jacobs School of Music, and Stony Brook University.
Mr. Hou is also on the faculty at Amherst Early Music Festival and Virginia Baroque Academy, where he offers lessons for keyboardists and chamber ensemble coaching. His teaching career extends beyond piano and harpsichord instruction to include choir and ensemble directing. He is dedicated to mentoring intermediate and advanced students, enhancing their musical expression and fostering their unique musical philosophies. In 2014, Mr. Hou led the Shanghai Yangjing High School Men’s Choir to win a Gold Medal in the Young Male Choirs division at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia.
His musicological research centers on early European instruments in East Asia from the 15th to 19th centuries. In addition to English, Mr. Hou is fluent in Mandarin, Classical Chinese, and Japanese.
