Biography

Praised by The New York Times for his "eloquent sensitivity," The Boston Intelligencer for his "impeccable technique," and Fanfare for his "Chameleon-like ability to move between composers," pianist Hsiang Tu was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and debuted in New York at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center as the winner of The Juilliard School Concerto Competition (Chopin Concerto No. 1). Since then, he has performed at high-profile venues such as Museum of Modern Art and Joyce Theater in New York City, Cardiff National Museum, Leeds University Great Hall, and Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris in Europe, and Sendai Youth Cultural Centre in Japan and National Recital Halls in Taiwan. 

In 2025, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth, Dr. Tu has embarked upon performing the complete piano solo work by the French composer in Croatia, Peru, Taiwan, the U.K., and the U.S., with a recording project to follow. Future projects include Debussy's complete piano solo works and thematic recitals featuring opus-one compositions and more music inspired by animals.

Following the critical acclaim of his debut album, Bestiary on Ivory (Bridge Records, 2020), a new album featuring Chopin’s 24 Preludes and Sonata No. 2 was released by Da Vinci Classics in March of 2024, which the American Record Guide singled out the 24 Preludes as “among the best.”

A prizewinner at the New Orleans International Piano Competition, the Iowa International Piano Competition, and the American Paderewski Piano Competition, Tu has appeared with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, the World Civic Orchestra, and student orchestras at New England Conservatory, Boston University, Snow College in Utah, the University of New Hampshire, and UF. He has adjudicated for various music teachers’ association competitions in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Virginia, and given masterclasses in renowned institutions such as the University of Southern California, Peabody Conservatory Preparatory Division, Penn State University, Baylor University, and the University of Oklahoma.

Before his appointment at the University of Florida, Dr. Tu taught at Virginia Tech, the University of New Hampshire, Utah Valley University, and Snow College. He holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Calgary and an M.M. and D.M.A. in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School. For more info, please visit hsiangtu.com.