“Alan Liu is a brilliant talent, and it has been a joy to witness his remarkable artistic and technical development as my student at Juilliard. He has become a leading guitarist of his generation, and I’ve no doubt that his sublime artistry and virtuosity will continue to inspire the world for years to come.”
“Alan Liu is a significant young talent in the world of classical guitar. He is playing with not just impeccable technique and gorgeous sound, but with great expressiveness, musical intent, intelligence, and passion. Alan is one to watch closely.”
“Just wow.”
Alan Liu has been wowing audiences for most of his 21-year life, and we are delighted to present him in his Delaware debut! Named one of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “30 Hot Musicians Under 30” when he was just 14 years old, Alan has proven himself to be a musician to be watched, garnering numerous awards and accolades ever since he began competing and concertizing at the age of 7, including first prizes in numerous international competitions and performances alongside esteemed orchestras. Alan is a recent graduate of the incredible new classical guitar program at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and is currently a master’s degree candidate at Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
Works to be performed by Bach, Tansman, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Barrios, and Carter.
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MASTERCLASS
4/27/24: Alan Liu will be teaching a masterclass in the afternoon, April 27th at 1:00 pm in the West Room of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. The masterclass is free to observe and open to the public, but registration is required. Register as an auditor to sit in and hear what Mr. Liu has to teach our guest performers, or register as a performer for your chance to perform for Alan and have him critique your performance (a small tuition fee applies). Register as either an auditor or performer in our Online Store.
When named as a 14-year-old teenager to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “30 Hot Musicians Under 30”, Chinese-Canadian guitarist Alan Liu’s talent was recognized by the commentator’s succinct and compelling summation: “Just wow.”
Beginning with the earliest stages of his musical journey, Liu was an active competitor, receiving his first national prize at seven. From age twelve to fourteen, he earned several awards in North America and Europe, including first prizes in the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, Guitare Montreal International Youth Competition, Northwest International Artist Competition, and Federation of Canadian Music Festivals Guitar Competition, as well as additional prizes in the Parkening International Youth Guitarist Competition and Michele Pittaluga Junior Guitar Competition. Recent awards include first prizes in the Mercatali Gorizia, Josefina P. Tuason, Indiana, and Houston International Classical Guitar Competitions. He also won third prize in the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition.
In addition to concerti performances with the Vancouver Symphony, Prince George Symphony, and Juilliard Chamber Orchestra, he has played on the Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver classical guitar societies’ concert series. In 2023, he debuted at Lincoln Center in New York with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Additionally, he has been a featured performer at the Crown, Montreal, and QinLing International Guitar Festivals.
Currently 21 years old and a Master of Music degree candidate, Liu studies with Sharon Isbin at the Juilliard School, where he receives the C. & H. Lewine Scholarship and is an Augustine, Gluck, and McCabe Fellow. Liu received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with David Starobin and Jason Vieaux. He is also an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival.
Liu plays on Augustine Strings, inventor of the nylon strings for guitar, and uses instruments made by renowned luthiers Martin Blackwell and Altamira Guitar’s Hanson Yao. He is both an Augustine and Altamira Artist.