“She aims at a real understanding of the works at hand and is able to produce performances of true subtlety …” – Matti Raekallio
An acclaimed soloist and collaborative pianist, Dr. Hana Chu has graced stages throughout North America, South America, the Middle East, and Korea, performing with many distinguished artists. Renowned for her versatility and artistry, she is a sought-after chamber musician whose collaborations span a wide range of ensembles and artistic projects.
In 2015 and 2017, Dr. Chu gave solo and chamber music concerts in Jordan, contributing to the cultivation of the first generation of classical musicians in the country. Her commitment to cultural exchange continued in 2017 with an invitation to perform in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as part of a cultural event. In the summer of 2019, she was invited to perform and give a masterclass in Bangkok, Thailand, further demonstrating her dedication to global musical education and collaboration.
Dr. Chu is a frequent guest artist with the Mary Trevor Chamber Music Series, where she has collaborated with esteemed musicians including Max Rabinovitsj, Stella Chen, Thomas Mesa, Isabelle Durrenberger, and Chee-Yun Kim.
A passionate advocate for new music, Dr. Chu premiered Blue Pacific by leading contemporary composer Michael Torke and released a recording on Ecstatic Records that has been featured on classical radio stations across the United States. During her time at Juilliard, she performed regularly with the New Juilliard Ensemble under the direction of Joel Sachs and premiered numerous works by fellow composers. Her collaborations with living composers — as well as artists in jazz and popular music — reflect a deep commitment to exploring new musical languages and creating engaging performances that transcend traditional genre boundaries.
Dr. Chu also maintains an active collaboration with saxophonist Perry Roth, performing works by Harriet Steinke, Erwin Schulhoff, Robert Dauber, Ida Gotkovsky, and other composers. Their recent appearances include performances at the North American Saxophone Alliance conferences in Oklahoma and Ohio.
Dr. Chu’s accolades began early, winning her first competition at the age of five. She is a prizewinner of many distinguished competitions, including the Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Competition, MTNA Solo and Duo Piano Competitions, Nordmann Piano Scholarship Competition, New York Piano Competition, and the Oberlin Piano Competition. She was a semi-finalist in the Ninth Chopin National Competition in Florida and has received numerous scholarships, including the Van Cliburn Scholarship, Arthur Gold/Robert Fizdale Scholarship, Olga Smaroff Scholarship, Sejong Scholarship, Hyon Chough/Bernie Sacharski Scholarship, and Wollenberg Saphar Memorial Scholarship.
A native of South Korea, Dr. Chu received her degrees from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Matti Raekallio and Jerome Lowenthal, and from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Nelita True and Jean Barr.
Currently on the piano faculty at Denison University, Dr. Chu has previously taught at Nazareth University, Monroe Community College, Kent State University, and Cedarville University. As both performer and educator, she is committed to cultivating artistic excellence, curiosity, and expressive musicianship in the next generation of pianists.
Outside of music, she enjoys life with her two beautiful cats, Fanny and Clara.