Today we’d like to introduce you to Ai-Ying Chiu.
Ai-Ying, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, where I began my musical training at age 4. In Taiwan, students who specialize in music are required are required to learn two instruments between Grades 3 and 12. My other instrument was percussion, which included marimba, vibraphone, drums, etc. My percussion studies helped me to build up a very solid sense of rhythm, and also enabled me to explore some jazz, improvisation and theater works in addition to standard classical repertoire.
After graduating from Tainan National University of Fine Arts, I received a full-tuition scholarship to study with Michael Lewin at The Boston Conservatory in 2005. During my time at The Boston Conservatory, I won the highly competitive H. Wilfred Churchill Piano Scholarship Competition, and I also received awards at the school’s Mozart Concerto Competition, the Chinese International Piano Competition, and the Arlington Young Artist Competition.
I have been invited to perform in many important concert halls in Russia, France, Germany, Italy, the US, Canada, Mexico, China and Taiwan. This includes a performances of Mozart Piano Concerto K.488 at Basilica San Francesco in Assisi, with Enrico Marconi and the Sinphonia Perusina, and solo performances at the Rachmaninoff Concert Hall in Tambov, Russia, The Town Hall in NYC, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya in Seattle, among others. These concerts received highly favorable feedback from the audience.
I have lived in Boston for more than a decade. While I sometimes travel abroad for concerts, most often I play at local venues such as First Church of Boston, Tsai Performance Center, Great Meadow Hall, Steinert Hall, The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, New school of Music, and Newton Library, as well as private events and venues.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a professional musician is a privilege that many people dream of, and I am very grateful to be able to live my dream. In order to do so, some sacrifices are unavoidable. The pursuit of excellence is a life-long journey in music, just as it is in any other artistic endeavor.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ai-Ying Chiu – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud and what sets you apart from others.
Performing in big concert halls is fun and exciting, but I love the intimacy between my music and the audience in a smaller space. I find that I can hear myself and my partners better. I can even hear the audience, which makes each performance even more unique.
As a pianist, I love to collaborate with other musicians and artists. I am a founding member of the Chiu-Villafranca Duo, the Voyage Piano Trio and Kaohsiung Chamber Music Ensemble.
Last year I released two albums: Dances from Around the World, a collection of piano four-hand music with Laura Villafranca, and Sonatas by Beethoven and Franck with cellist Kett Lee.
Passion for sharing my love of music is the reason why I do what I do every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aiyingchiu.com
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