"...a very gifted pianist and a musician of great sensitivity" - Richard Goode
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“…Captivating” --- Stroll Magazine
“…an extremely gifted and promising young artist” --- Rorianne Sharade, New York Concert Review. Inc.
"With an engaging stage presence, helpful spoken introductions to the music, and confident programming skills, Junwen Liang is ready for a major career" --- Michael J. Moran, In the Spotlight Inc.
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Originally from Nanning, China, Junwen began his piano studies at the age of nine and made his solo debut at thirteen. During his years as a student, he performed at distinguished venues across the United States, including Stockton University Performing Arts Center, The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts in New Jersey, Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, Barnes Hall at Cornell University, Cohen Family Studio Theater, Robert J. Werner Recital Hall in Cincinnati, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and the Academy of Music at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
As a soloist, Junwen collaborated with orchestras such as the Central Texas Philharmonic, Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, and Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra. His interpretation of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra was broadcast on WSKG radio, further showcasing his growing presence in the classical music scene. Additionally, he was invited to present a solo performance on WRTI Classical Radio in Philadelphia, further establishing his reputation as a promising concert pianist.
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​Since 2023, Junwen's artistry has flourished with a rapidly expanding career as a versatile recitalist, leading to invitations from distinguished series such as Lake Barcroft Concerts (Falls Church, VA), Arts Club of Washington (Washington, DC), Sunday Recital Series at Saint Thomas (Manhattan, NY), Trinity Concert Series (Watertown, NY), Sevenars Music Festival (South Worthington, MA), and the Afternoon Recital Series at Grunin Center (Toms River, NJ). For the 2024/25 season, Junwen will debut across North America, performing in prestigious series including Fripp Island Friends of Music, Aiden Chamber Music Series at McLean Center, Saugerties Pro Musica, Chamber On The Mountain, Classical Series at Boston Court Pasadena, Charlotte House Series; as well as in residencies at universities in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and California. (additional concerts for the 2024/25 season can be found here)
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In addition to his solo career, Junwen extends his musical talents engaging as a collaborative pianist with professional instrumentalists and singers in the thriving music scenes of Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore County, Maryland. Recognized for his exceptional collaborative skills, he was honored with the Clara Ascherfeld Award in Accompanying, and the title of "Outstanding Collaborative Pianist" at the Peabody Institute, which he was featured in their esteemed Noon:30 Concert Series. In February 2024, at the invitation of concert pianist Chantal Balestri, Artistic Director of the Lunigiana International Music Festival, Junwen participated in the Puccini Concert Project held at NYU Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo. This special event, in collaboration with the Festival Puccini Torre del Lago, commemorated the composer's 100th Anniversary. Junwen showcased his talent through solo arrangements and engaging vocal duets alongside guest soprano Marina Medici.
Furthermore, Junwen's collaborative ventures led to his participation in a piano quintet, coached by Michael Kannen, director of Peabody’s Chamber Music Program. The quintet's outstanding artistry earned them the distinction of being the only chamber group from Peabody selected to perform at Carnegie Hall’s Master Class Series, offering a unique opportunity to collaborate with Ludwig Quandt, principal cellist of the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Junwen's commitment to musical excellence is also exemplified by his participation in prestigious music festivals, including Texas State International Piano Festival, Lunigiana International Music Festival, Art of the Piano at CCM, Atlantic Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Orford Musique, and Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy. He has worked with famous pedagogues and concert pianists including Piotr Paleczny, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Johnathan Biss, Gary Graffman, Jerome Lowenthal, Ching-Yun Hu, Andre Laplante, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Vladimir Feltsman, Robert McDonald, Ursula Oppens, Jeremy Denk, and more.
A recipient of numerous awards, Junwen's trajectory began with victories in esteemed competitions in China at the age of 12. This journey continued globally with triumphs in the New York International Piano Competition, Naftzger Young Artist Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, Juliusz Zarębski International Music Competition (Poland), and WPTA Spain. Notably, he secured first prizes in the Crescendo International Music Competition, Nouvelles Etoiles International Music Competition (France), The Princeton Festival International Piano Competition, YMIC International Music Competition, Philadelphia International Piano Competition, and The American Prize. In Spring 2019, Junwen's achievements were crowned with the exclusive Spencer Merit Award at the National Society of Arts & Letters in Bloomington, an honor given to only one pianist that year.
Most recently, Junwen graduated with a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, under the tutelage of Richard Goode. His past mentors include Christopher Guzman (Penn State), Roberto Plano, Edward Auer (Indiana University), and Charis Dimaras (Ithaca College).
Junwen currently teaches at the Music Department of University of Pennsylvania, and is represented worldwide by Price Attractions.
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