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Pius Cheung is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for himself as a marimba virtuoso. Born on August 1, 1982, in Hong Kong, Cheung grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Cheung showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of three. Cheung's parents recognized his talent and enrolled him in the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts when he was just six years old. There, he studied piano, percussion, and composition. Cheung's passion for percussion grew, and he began to focus on the marimba, a percussion instrument that resembles a xylophone but has a deeper, richer sound. Cheung's talent on the marimba quickly became apparent, and he began to win awards and competitions. In 1997, he won first prize in the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, and in 1998, he won the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition in the United States. These early successes set the stage for Cheung's future career as a marimba soloist. In 2001, Cheung moved to the United States to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he studied with renowned marimba player Robert van Sice and earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 2005. Cheung continued his studies at the Yale School of Music, where he earned his Master of Music degree in 2007. Cheung's career as a marimba soloist took off after he won the Concert Artists Guild International Competition in 2006. This prestigious competition is open to musicians of all instruments, and Cheung was the first marimba player to win the top prize. The win brought Cheung to the attention of concert presenters and music critics, and he began to perform regularly in the United States and around the world. Cheung's performances are known for their technical virtuosity and musical sensitivity. He has a deep understanding of the marimba's capabilities and uses it to create a wide range of sounds and textures. Cheung's repertoire includes classical works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy, as well as contemporary pieces by living composers. One of Cheung's most notable performances was his debut at Carnegie Hall in 2008. He performed a program of works by Bach, Debussy, and contemporary composer Emmanuel Séjourné. The performance was widely praised by critics, who noted Cheung's technical skill and musicality. Cheung has also performed with orchestras around the world, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, he performed the world premiere of a concerto for marimba and orchestra by composer Kevin Puts with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Cheung is also a respected teacher and composer. He has taught masterclasses and given lectures at universities and conservatories around the world, including the Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Tokyo College of Music. Cheung has also composed several works for marimba, including a concerto for marimba and string orchestra. Cheung's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

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