Biography
—
Award-winning pianist Cecilia Chow has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, collaborative pianist, and pedagogue, with performances across Hong Kong, China, Spain, Italy, Austria, and the United States.
In 2011, Chow made her solo debut at the Guangzhou Opera House. That same year, she was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. She has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including the Internationaler Deutscher Klavierwettbewerb, Steinway & Sons Piano Competition, Toyama Piano Competition, Yamaha Piano Competition, and Asia Open Competition. Most recently, she participated in the Canadian Chopin Competition.
Chow has performed in concerts and recitals at Studzinski Hall, Kilbourn Hall, Galvin Hall, Guangzhou Opera House, Haydn-Haus, Harris Concert Hall, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. In past seasons, she has been actively performing in the Chicagoland area, collaborating with students and faculty members of Northwestern University. She has served as a pianist for the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra, performing under the batons of Victor Yampolsky and Robert Hasty across multiple seasons. In 2018, Chow co-founded the piano trio Coalesce, performing a diverse repertoire spanning classical to contemporary works. As a chamber musician, she has worked closely with the Dover Quartet and members of the Ying Quartet.
Chow’s festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival and School, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Gijón International Piano Festival, Amalfi Coast Piano Festival, and Classical Music Festival. In 2017, she was invited to perform alongside legendary pianist Ann Schein at Harris Concert Hall during the Aspen Music Festival and School. Most recently, she was an Artist in Residence at Porto Pianofest, where she presented an all-Chopin recital.
At age 17, Chow received the Howard Hanson Scholarship and the Avis D. Vaughan Scholarship to study at the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Alan Chow and Ann Schein. She completed her Master of Music in Piano Performance at Northwestern University, studying with Sylvia Wang, and received pedagogical training from Tony Caramia and Marcia Bosits. She later pursued an Artist Diploma at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Glenn Gould School, mentored by John Perry and David Louie. She frequently works with pianist Michael Berkovsky, further refining her artistry through ongoing mentorship.
Beyond music, Chow enjoys cultivating her garden, where she grows an assortment of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.