Seventeen-year old Lewis Zou, a junior at Solon High School, began his formal musical education at the age of five at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2010, 2011, and 2013, Lewis won first prize in the Ohio Music Teachers Association District Buckeye Piano Competition. In May of 2011, he made his debut as soloist with orchestra performing Haydn's Piano Concerto in D Major with the Lakeland Civic Orchestra as a result of winning the Lakeland Civic Orchestra's Young Artist Competition. In 2012 he was a semifinalist in the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition held in Salt Lake City. He also won the state Music Teachers National Association competition in October of 2012. As a result of winning the 2013 Jean L. Petitt Memorial Music Scholarship Competition, he made his debut at Severance Hall with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. In May of 2014, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as First Prize winner in the 2014 Alexander & Buono International Piano Competition. Lewis was invited to perform the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra on Opening Night of their 2015-2016 season in October 2015. He was awarded the Scholarship of Chopin Foundation of the United States for Year 1, 2014-2015 and Year 2, 2015-2016. In July 2016, Lewis was a semifinalist in the Cooper International Piano Competition, and in August was a Junior Juror for the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition. Also in 2016, Lewis was awarded the Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship. In 2017, he was a winner of the Chinese New Year Celebration Competition held at Cleveland State University, and performed during the celebration.
Lewis was selected to perform as a Master Class Fellow at the 2014 Gilmore International Keyboard Festival with Lori Sims in May of 2014. He also attended the Piano Academy of the Bay View Music Festival in June. In 2016, he had a masterclass with Ursula Oppens, a juror of the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition.
Lewis was selected to perform as a Master Class Fellow at the 2014 Gilmore International Keyboard Festival with Lori Sims in May of 2014. He also attended the Piano Academy of the Bay View Music Festival in June. In 2016, he had a masterclass with Ursula Oppens, a juror of the 2016 Cleveland International Piano Competition.