Chen Liang

CHEN LIANG, piano
Hailed as “one of the most dramatic and sensitive classical musicians”, Chinese-born pianist Dr. Chen Liang is becoming an active figure on stages around the world. As a recording artist for KNS Classical in Spain and a performing artist for Chengdu City Concert Hall in China, Chen gives numerous recitals every year around the world. As a concerto soloist, Chen has played with Chong Qing Philharmonic in China, the Greece Symphony Orchestra in New York and Lynn Philharmonic in Florida.

Chen is the winner of the Clara Schumann International Piano Competition, the Manhattan International Music Competition, the Lira International Piano Competition, the Music and Stars Awards Grand Prix, the Big Arts Classical Music Scholarship Competition, and the Lynn Concerto Competition. He also won top prizes in many other competitions including “ArsClassica” International Piano Competition in Italy, Piano Texas Music Festival Concerto Competition and the Chautauqua Music Festival Piano Competition.

Currently, Chen serves as a Board Member for the Seattle International Piano Competition, as well as the piano Faculty at the Chopin Academy of Music in Issaquah. He also performs as a Collaborative Pianist for the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Choral Company. Before moving to Seattle, Chen was also a former Piano Faculty at Eastman Community Music School in New York and an Adjunct Lecturer at the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo). Chen is a passionate educator and music scholar. He frequently gives masterclasses and lectures in both China and the United States, and is a frequent presenter at the MTNA, CMS national conferences. Chen has also worked as an Assistant Instructor for class piano at both the Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester. Back in China, Chen co-founded the “Beyond Clouds” summer piano festival in Chengdu and has been serving as the Artistic Director since 2018.

Chen received his Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from both Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China and Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, FL. He earned his MM (Master of Music) and DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in Piano Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music, under the tutelage of Ms. Natalya Antonova, with a music theory minor field and Advanced Pedagogy Certificate.

“The delicate touch and sensitive sound, blended with the elegance of the
music style, have deeply moved the audience’s heart” – Lihua Su, Chinese music critics

“Your playing has recalled my memory of George when he put me on his knees
and played the song for me, thank you so much!” – Frankie Ross, cousin of George Gershwin

“Very simple but varied in sound, very light touched but deep in expressions”. – Andrzej Jasnski, Chairman of the Jury, Chopin International Competition