BIOGRAPHY
Pianist Tian Tian currently serves on the faculty of Oakland University as Assistant Professor of Piano and Area Coordinator. She began her piano training at the age of four in her native China. Upon arriving in the United States, she studied with Logan Skelton and quickly began amassing top prizes at national and international competitions. These included 2nd prize at the MTNA Baldwin Junior High school Piano Competition, 2nd prize at the Cooper International Piano Competition (Oberlin), 1st prize at the Idyllwild Arts Academy Young Artist Competition, 2nd prize at the Missouri Southern International Competition, and 3rd place at the Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition.
She continued her training at the Juilliard School, where she received B.M. and M.M. degrees under the tutelage of Robert McDonald. In the fall 2011 Tian completed a D.M.A. in Piano Performance and Literature with a minor in Chamber Music and Accompanying at the Eastman School of Music, where she was a student of (and served as teaching assistant to) Nelita True.
Tian has presented solo concerts across the US, Canada and China. She has also appeared in music festivals such as Piano Texas, the Gilmore Festival, and Summer Courses with Arie Vardi (Germany). Recent concerto appearances include the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony and the Idyllwild Chamber Orchestra. As an avid chamber musician, Tian has performed with the Juilliard Quartet and toured in the US, China, and Korea as a member of the Studzinsky Trio.
Since 2008, Tian has returned to China annually to present concerts, lectures and masterclasses, which have earned her the title of Honorary Professor at ten universities in China, which includes Shandong Normal University, Yunnan Institute for the Arts (in 2008), Shaoxing Academy of the Arts (2009), Weifang Academy, Mudanjiang Teacher’s University, Ludong University, Qufu University (2010), Qingdao University (2012), Shandong University of Technology (2015) and Linyi University (2016).
As a pedagogue, Tian has been invited multiple times to present masterclasses at universities, as well as lectures for teachers' groups. Her in depth analysis of technique and unique, charismatic teaching style have continued to impress colleagues and lead to more engagments. Prior to her post at Oakland, Tian served on the faculty at the University of Central Missouri.
In addition, Tian founded Courant Arts and Culture, a business devoted to promoting young talents in the Great-Detroit area by providing educational and performance opportunities. Since its establishment, the company has organized auditions, masterclasses and numerous concerts for young pianists.
She continued her training at the Juilliard School, where she received B.M. and M.M. degrees under the tutelage of Robert McDonald. In the fall 2011 Tian completed a D.M.A. in Piano Performance and Literature with a minor in Chamber Music and Accompanying at the Eastman School of Music, where she was a student of (and served as teaching assistant to) Nelita True.
Tian has presented solo concerts across the US, Canada and China. She has also appeared in music festivals such as Piano Texas, the Gilmore Festival, and Summer Courses with Arie Vardi (Germany). Recent concerto appearances include the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony and the Idyllwild Chamber Orchestra. As an avid chamber musician, Tian has performed with the Juilliard Quartet and toured in the US, China, and Korea as a member of the Studzinsky Trio.
Since 2008, Tian has returned to China annually to present concerts, lectures and masterclasses, which have earned her the title of Honorary Professor at ten universities in China, which includes Shandong Normal University, Yunnan Institute for the Arts (in 2008), Shaoxing Academy of the Arts (2009), Weifang Academy, Mudanjiang Teacher’s University, Ludong University, Qufu University (2010), Qingdao University (2012), Shandong University of Technology (2015) and Linyi University (2016).
As a pedagogue, Tian has been invited multiple times to present masterclasses at universities, as well as lectures for teachers' groups. Her in depth analysis of technique and unique, charismatic teaching style have continued to impress colleagues and lead to more engagments. Prior to her post at Oakland, Tian served on the faculty at the University of Central Missouri.
In addition, Tian founded Courant Arts and Culture, a business devoted to promoting young talents in the Great-Detroit area by providing educational and performance opportunities. Since its establishment, the company has organized auditions, masterclasses and numerous concerts for young pianists.