Meet our faculty
World-class pianists and educators shaping the next generation of artists
Jeffrey Cohen
- Professor of Piano & Artist Faculty | Manhattan School of Music
- Coordinator | Master Classes & Departmental Competitions, MSM
- Recipient | President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, MSM
- Jury Member | Major National & International Piano Competitions
American pianist Jeffrey Cohen is acclaimed for the brilliance and poetry of his playing, praised by The New York Times for its “lucidity and poetry.” As soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist, he has appeared across North America, Europe, and Asia, including with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and at major festivals. A longtime professor at Manhattan School of Music, he is a sought-after teacher, masterclass artist, and competition juror.
Zhe tang
- Leading Chinese Pianist & Pedagogue
- Professor of Piano & Vice Dean | Shanghai Conservatory of Music
- Chair | Piano Department, Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory
- Artistic Director | Shanghai Spring International Piano E-Competition
- Chair | Shanghai Professional Pianists’ Society
- International Jury Member | Major Global Piano Competitions
Chinese pianist and pedagogue Zhe Tang is Professor of Piano and Vice Dean at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. A graduate and former teaching assistant at the Eastman School of Music, he has appeared with leading orchestras, including the China Philharmonic and Shanghai Symphony, and in recital across the US, Europe, and Asia. Artistic Director of major Shanghai piano festivals and a frequent international competition juror, he received China’s Grand Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Gabriel Kwok
- Renowned Hong Kong Piano Pedagogue
- Head of Department | Keyboard Studies of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
- Faculty Fellow | Royal Academy of Music, UK
- Visiting Professor at leading Chinese conservatories
Hong Kong pianist Gabriel Kwok has led Keyboard Studies at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts since 1989 and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music. A sought-after pedagogue, he gives masterclasses worldwide, serves on the faculties of major international festivals, and frequently adjudicates leading piano competitions. A Steinway Artist, he has collaborated with many distinguished performers and received Hong Kong’s Medal of Honour for his contributions to piano education.
Andrew Tyson
- Renowned Concert Pianist
- First Prize Winner | Géza Anda International Piano Competition in Zurich, Switzerland
- Piano Faculty (Pre-College Division) | The Tianjin Juilliard School
American pianist Andrew Tyson, hailed by BBC Radio 3 as “a real poet of the piano,” won First Prize, the Mozart Prize, and Audience Prize at the 2015 Géza Anda Competition and is a laureate of the Leeds Competition. Known for his expressive and nuanced performances, Tyson has captivated audiences with his ability to convey deep emotion through his music. He appears with major orchestras across Europe, North America, and Asia and in recital at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Zürich Tonhalle. His acclaimed Alpha Classics recordings highlight his coloristic, imaginative playing, showcasing his unique interpretation of classical and contemporary works.
Xiaoqin Pan
- Renowned Concert Pianist & Collaborative Pianist
- Executive Director | D Festival
- Associate Professor of Piano | the Central Conservatory of Music
Xiaoqin Pan, a distinguished Chinese pianist, began his career at the Central Conservatory of Music in 1999. He has won top honors in competitions across Asia and the US. In 2007, he represented the Conservatory at the Juilliard International Master Class, earning praise from Yoheved Kaplinsky. Pan joined the faculty at the Central Conservatory the same year, where he continues to inspire students with his performances and teaching.
Ruoyu Huang
- Internationally Renowned Pianist
- Artistic Director | D Festival
- Associate Professor of Piano | Central Conservatory of Music
Ruoyu Huang, a pianist and composer, teaches at the Central Conservatory of Music. A Curtis and Juilliard graduate, he studied under Sergei Babayan. His performances, inspired by the Golden Age of piano, and his recordings, like 'The Piano Art of Russian School,' showcase his technical skill and expressive depth. He has played with major orchestras such as the Mariinsky and Fort Worth symphonies. As a composer, his art songs blend classical and contemporary styles. Huang's innovative approach has earned him accolades in both performance and composition, and he is dedicated to nurturing young talent through his teaching.
Rizzo Chung
- Hong Kong Renowned Piano Pedagogue
- Principal | GMC Music
- Artistic director | GMC Festival
- Founder & Director | GMC Foundation
Rizzo Chung, principal of GMC Music and founder of the GMC Foundation in Hong Kong, is a leading piano educator with over two decades of experience. She excels in nurturing young talent, with her students winning top international competitions and gaining entry to prestigious conservatories. Chung also promotes professional development through workshops and innovative educational platforms, and curates the Soirée Musique online concert series to foster global musical collaboration.
Junhui Chen
- Internationally Renowned Pianist
- Second Prize Winner | Prix Ravel Competition in France
- The 2nd Huaxia Qinyin China Top Ten Young Pianists
Chinese pianist Junhui Chen is acclaimed for his refined artistry and wide-ranging concerto and recital appearances. He has performed with orchestras including the Rochester Philharmonic and China National Symphony, and at festivals in Paris, Perugia, Orford, Fontainebleau, and Shanghai. A graduate of Curtis, Juilliard, and the École Normale de Musique de Paris, he is currently pursuing his doctorate at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Zhe Tang.at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Zhe Tang.
Qitu Feng
- Renowned Piano Pedagogue & Music Critic
- Guest Faculty | D Festival
- Director & Founder | Beijing Yingrui Cultural Development Co., Ltd.
- Board Member | Austrian Society for Music and Music Education (Beijing)
Pianist and educator Qitu Feng, a graduate of the China Conservatory of Music, is a prominent figure in the world of piano education. As the Artistic Director and founder of Beijing Yingrui Cultural Development, he has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many young pianists. His students have consistently excelled, gaining entry into China's top conservatories and winning major prizes at both national and international piano competitions. Feng's dedication to teaching is matched by his role as a board member of the Austrian Society for Music and Music Education (Beijing), where he contributes to the advancement of music education standards.
Hin-Sing (James) Au
- USA Based Concert Pianist
- Co-Founder / Technology & Operations Director |
D Festival - Founder & Artistic Director | Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. /
Atelier Fantasia LLC. / Fantasia Studio
- Doctoral Candidate | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, USA
USA based HK-born pianist Hin-Sing (James) Au studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Antonio Pompa-Baldi before beginning his Doctor of Music at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under Arnaldo Cohen, where he also teaches piano. Praised by Maria João Pires for his “exquisite artistry,” he has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia, won numerous international competition prizes, and appeared as concerto soloist with the IU Jacobs orchestra and other ensembles.
* The faculty members listed above are presented without any particular ranking or sequence.
*We will be introducing more faculty members in the near future.