Dr. Zheng Jennifer Huang has been selected to become the Department Head for Fine Arts at ABAC. Matthew Anderson, who is the current Dean of the ABAC Arts and Sciences, announced her new position appointment and is confident that the music department will “remain in good hands.”
She will be replacing Dr. Susan Roe following her retirement at the end of June and who had been serving as the Head of the Department of Fine Arts since 2015. Dr. Huang became an ABAC faculty member in 2018, working as the Assistant Professor of Piano, where she has been teaching piano and general music courses. She has provided piano accompaniment for a large number of music events hosted by ABAC during her time at the college, as well as hosting her own solo concerts and recitals. Dr. Huang is also well known around the local community of Tifton, as she has helped coordinate the local music club’s annual music festival and provides musical accompaniment at the St. Anne Episcopal Church in Tifton. Dr. Huang had also previously been a faculty member at Darton State College (GA) and Albany State University (GA)
Dr. Huang’s extensive educational background includes graduating from the Xi’an Conservatory of Music, receiving the Advanced Diploma in Piano Performance from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (OH). Dual Master of Music degrees in Harpsichord and Piano Performances from Mannes College of Music (NY), and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Harpsichord Performance from State University of New York at Stony Brook (NY)
Dr. Huang has been recognized for her musical talents and efforts with some of the awards and prizes including the Steinway & Sons 2020 Top Teacher Award (presented by Steinway Piano Galleries in recognition of top Georgia teachers), 2nd prize winner of the 1996 Hong Kong Open Piano Competition for Asian Musicians, Oberlin Alumni Scholarship, The Conservatory Dean’s Special Award, and a full graduate scholarship from Mannes College of Music Throughout her music career. She has also studied and worked with acclaimed musicians such as Monique Duphil, Jerome Rose, Arthur Haas, Lisa Crawford, Kenneth Weiss, Peter Sykes, and Martin Pearlman.Aside from teaching, Dr.
Huang has had an extensive career as a concert pianist, performing in places such as Weill Recital Hall (NY), and Alice Tully Hall (NY). She has also showcased her abilities as a harpsichordist, performing with the Oberlin Baroque Orchestra, Boston Baroque Orchestra, and Mannes Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Some festivals Dr. Huang has performed in include the Boston Early Music Festival and the Amherst Early Music Festival.
With many years of experience, education, accolades, and acclaim, Dr. Huang will provide a lot of new insight and opportunities for the music department at ABAC. Her position became effective at the beginning of July immediately following Dr. Roe’s retirement.
