Jian Liu, Director

          Commenting on harpist Jian Liu in a feature in the Chinese monthly The Hong Kong Mirror, correspondent Mo Yi Ma wrote “Jian Liu’s technical skills combining eastern and Western styles, plus his wonderful performing abilities, make him part of a growing new generation of international professional harpists.”

          Jian Liu began his music studies at age six on the piano in his native village of Zu Zhou, province of Hu Nan, China. At age 9, he won 1st Prize in the Hu Nan National Piano Competition, the first provincial music competition to be held in China since the end of the cultural revolution. The next year, he applied to the Junior Division of the Bejing Central Conservatory, which had just reopened having been closed for the decade of the cultural revolution, competing against thousands of gifted applicants from all across China, and successfully passed the rigorous, week-long entrance examinations. He continued his training in the conservatory’s middle school, and subsequently changed his major instrument from piano to harp. He graduated from the Bejing Central Conservatory Middle School in 1996, having served as its Youth Orchestra’s principal harpist for six years.

          Mr. Liu decided to pursue his music studies and career in the United States, and in fall 1996, came to New York where he attended public high-school in Flushing, Queens, and the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Division. In fall, 1997, he began his studies at Mannes College of Music, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree (2001), Master of Music degree (2003), and Professional Studies Diploma (2005), as a student of Metropolitan Opera harpist Susan Jolles. He served as principal harpist of The Mannes Orchestra for eight years, playing under such notable conductors as Yves Abel (Metropolitan Opera), Joseph Colaneri (Metropolitan Opera), Phillippe Entremont, JoAnn Falletta (Buffalo Symphony), David Hayes (Philadelphia Orchestra), Paul Nadler (Metropolitan Opera), and composer Bright Sheng. As winner of the 2003 Mannes Concerto Competition, Mr. Liu performed Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto with The Mannes Orchestra, conducted by Samuel Wong, at Columbia University’s Miller Theater. He has also performed in recital and concert in various prestigious New York venues, including the Harvard Club, the French Consulate, the Paris-American Club, and Goethe-Institut New York.

          In February, 2006 at Merkin Concert Hall, Mr. Liu performed Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Debussy’s Two Dances as guest soloist with the Columbia University Bach Society Orchestra, conducted by David Rosenmeyer. As principal harpist of The Asian Artists & Concerts orchestra he has performed in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and at a May 2007 United Nations Anniversary performance of Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony in the General Assembly Hall. He has served frequently as principal harpist of the Dicapo Opera, the Bronx Opera, and the New Rochelle Opera. He is often invited by the New York Chinese Consulate to perform at various prestigious diplomatic events. Currently, in addition to his professional activities as a harpist, Jian holds the position of Director of East-West Music Studio in Flushing, Queens.