Hao Chen
Hao Chen was born in Taiwan and has lived in New Zealand since she was eight. Hao graduated from the University of Auckland under the tutelage of Rae de Lisle, where she gained her Honours degree in Piano Performance with First Class. She won numerous scholarships and awards for her postgraduate studies at the RCM, where she most recently completed her Masters degree in performance with First Class (Distinction). In September 2009, Hao commenced full time doctoral studies with a research focus on memorization for pianists. The aim of her research is to investigate how pianists map out and organize performance cues and compare the types and developments of performance cues in compositions of different periods.
As a performer, Hao made her concerto debut at the age of 14 with members from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She has given recitals in New Zealand and has performed with several orchestras, and her performances have been broadcasted on New Zealand’s Concert FM radio numerous times. Hao was a prize winner in all of the major national competitions in New Zealand and appeared as a guest artist before a capacity crowd of more than 30,000 at the 2008 Starlight Symphony with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. She was awarded twice the Auckland University Blues Award for Music Performance (piano) which is the most prestigious and highest cultural and sporting honour that can be attained at the University.
Email: hao.chen@rcm.ac.uk