Mélodie Zhao began studying the piano at age three. She studied first at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, with Jiaquan Chen until age nine. In 2004, she entered the Geneva Conservatory under the instruction of Mayumi Balet-Kameda and at 13 began working toward her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with Pascal Devoyon at the Geneva University of Music. At the age of 14, she gained her bachelor’s degree with highest honours; she also received the François Dumont Prize for the best interpretation of a Beethoven sonata. At age 16, she was awarded a Master Soloist Diploma with distinction, as well as the Georges Filipinetti and Carola Pajonk prizes for the musician with the highest and most refined musical sensitivity. At the same time, Mélodie Zhao was a Soloist with Migros Pour-cent culturel from 2009 to 2011. She continues her studies with Pascal Devoyon at the Berlin University of the Arts.

Mélodie Zhao is also known for her compositions, which are played now and then, especially in China and Switzerland. She wrote a Piano Sonata on the theme of Springs, given for the first time in Jinan… It received a standing ovation when it was premiered in Europe and her achievement has featured on numerous radio and television programmes.