Amber Yiu-Hsuan Liao is a Taiwanese classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her exceptional talent and musicality. Born on December 28, 1992, in Taipei, Taiwan, Liao showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents, who were both music lovers, recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue her passion for music. Liao's musical education began at the age of six when she enrolled in the Yamaha Music School in Taipei. She quickly progressed through the program and was soon performing in public concerts. At the age of nine, Liao was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School Pre-College Division in New York City, where she studied with renowned pianist Yoheved Kaplinsky. During her time at Juilliard, Liao won numerous awards and competitions, including the New York International Piano Competition, the Juilliard Pre-College Concerto Competition, and the Steinway Society of Massachusetts Piano Competition. She also performed in many prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. After graduating from Juilliard, Liao continued her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studied with renowned pianist Gary Graffman. While at Curtis, Liao won the school's annual concerto competition and performed with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Liao's career as a professional pianist began in earnest after she won the top prize at the 2015 Wideman International Piano Competition in Louisiana. This victory led to numerous concert engagements, including performances with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, Liao made her debut at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, where she performed a solo recital to critical acclaim. The New York Times praised her "impressive technique and musicality," while the New Yorker called her "a pianist of rare talent and sensitivity." Since then, Liao has continued to perform in major concert halls around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House. She has also collaborated with many renowned conductors, including Christoph Eschenbach, Leonard Slatkin, and Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to her performing career, Liao is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught masterclasses at many prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is also a faculty member at the Taipei National University of the Arts. Liao's recordings have received critical acclaim, including her debut album, "Amber Liao Plays Chopin," which was released in 2018. The album features Liao's interpretations of some of Chopin's most beloved works, including the Ballade No. 1 in G minor and the Nocturne in C-sharp minor. Liao's musical style is characterized by her technical precision, musicality, and sensitivity. She is known for her ability to bring out the emotional depth and complexity of the music she plays, whether it is a virtuosic showpiece or a delicate and introspective work. In recognition of her exceptional talent and contributions to the world of classical music, Liao has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2019 Young Artist Award from the National Culture and Arts Foundation of Taiwan.

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