Shiau-uen Ding is a Taiwanese-American classical pianist who has gained international recognition for her virtuosic performances and innovative programming. Born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1979, Ding began playing the piano at the age of four and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Her parents, both music lovers, recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Ding's early musical education was rigorous and demanding. She studied with some of Taiwan's most renowned piano teachers, including Ching-Yun Hu and Hung-Kuan Chen. At the age of 12, she won first prize in the Taiwan National Piano Competition, which marked the beginning of her career as a concert pianist. In 1995, Ding moved to the United States to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, she studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jerome Lowenthal, two of the most respected piano teachers in the world. She also had the opportunity to work with other distinguished musicians, including Emanuel Ax, Murray Perahia, and Richard Goode. Ding's talent and hard work paid off when she won the Juilliard Concerto Competition in 1999, which led to her debut performance with the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. This performance was a major milestone in Ding's career, as it showcased her exceptional technical skill and musical sensitivity to a wider audience. Since then, Ding has performed as a soloist with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan. She has also given recitals in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Shanghai Concert Hall. Ding's repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works by classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin, as well as contemporary composers such as John Adams, George Crumb, and Tan Dun. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Olivier Messiaen, a French composer known for his complex harmonies and mystical themes. In addition to her performances, Ding is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Michigan, where she is currently a professor of piano. She is known for her innovative teaching methods, which emphasize the importance of developing a personal connection to the music and the instrument. Ding's achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2005, she was named a Steinway Artist, which is a prestigious designation given to pianists who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. She has also been awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is given to outstanding young musicians who show great promise for the future. Despite her many accomplishments, Ding remains humble and dedicated to her art. She continues to push herself to new heights, constantly seeking out new challenges and opportunities to grow as a musician. Her passion for music and her commitment to excellence have made her one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation.

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