Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao, Piano

Biography

A native of Taiwan, Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao has performed in solo and collaborative recitals in Taiwan and the United States.  She has won prizes from numerous competitions including the Taiwan National Piano Competition, MTNA Competition, Phoenix Symphony Guild Young Musicians Competition, Northwestern University Thaviu-Isaak Endowed Piano Scholarship Competition, the Houston Ruth Burr Piano Competition, and the Sorel Medallion Piano Collaboration Competition in New York City.  She was also a first prize winner of the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, leading to her 2010 solo appearance in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  

Ms. Chao has participated in music festivals such as Tanglewood Music Centre, The Banff Centre, and Idyllwild Academy of Arts, and has appeared at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. 

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Ms. Chao gave a paper presentation on "Narrative Structure and Meaning in Schumann's Fantasie in C major, Op. 17" at the College Music Society regional conference in San Antonio, TX, and received great reviews. 

Ms. Chao currently serves as a staff pianist for the voice and opera program at Rice University, and is also on piano faculty at New Heart Music Ministries in Houston.  In addition, she is the rehearsal pianist for Houston Masterworks Chorus, has served as the pianist/accompanist for Houston Grand Opera Studio’s Young Artists Vocal Academy, and has been on concert tours with the Houston Children’s Chorus to New England and to Taiwan in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Houston-Taiwan Sister-City Relationship. 

Ms. Chao has taught in California State University, Bakersfield.  She studied with Walter Cosand at Arizona State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Music, and with Alan Chow at Northwestern University, from where she holds a Masters and a Doctor of Music in piano performance.