Q&A with Piano Faculty Member Charlotte Hu The acclaimed soloist shares her thoughts on compelling performances, student-teacher bonds, and the microwave approach to audition preparation.
January 15, 2025
Charlotte Hu in performance with Orquesta Filarm nica de Bogot
Kike Barona
Boston Conservatory at Berklee welcomed Charlotte Hu to its Piano Department faculty in January 2025. Hu's magnetic stage presence and deeply expressive interpretations of repertoire have made her an in-demand soloist over the past two decades, with performances at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, and Osaka's Symphony Hall. Also a committed educator-and firm believer in making classical music accessible to all-she founded piano festivals on two continents: the Yun-Hsiang International Music Festival in her native Taipei and the Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy.
Hu's many accolades include the top prize in the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition and the Concert Artists Guild Competition. In this Q&A, she shares her approach to preparing for high-stakes performances, the importance of mentorship, and the key to a productive student-teacher relationship.
What made you want to become a classical musician? And what keeps you engaged today, many years into your career?
My journey into classical music began with a passion for performing. I started playing the piano at age 5 and decided to pursue a career as a concert pianist around age 9 or 10, after attending a concert by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich in my native Taipei. I was captivated by the collaboration between him and his pianist and the beauty of their performance. As a child, I loved all aspects of the performing arts (piano, acting, singing, and I also played the oboe for several years in an orchestra), which led me to come to the US to study at Juilliard at age 14.
These days, my passion lies in exploring new projects and collaborations. I marvel at how classical music and artistry grow richer with age and life experiences. Continuous learning and the joy of performing and connecting with audiences fuel my enthusiasm.
What qualities set a great musician apart from a good musician? And, by extension, what qualities can turn a great musician into a great performer?
A remarkable musician distinguishes themselves by expressing profound emotions and artistry, always seeking a higher truth and the divine. In contrast, an exceptional performer captivates the audience, leading them through an engaging experience. They excel in their craft, guiding you through the music like a skilled actor, making the experience both personal and convincing. This is all supported by a strong foundation of technique, nuances, stage presence, and more, which make the performance appear effortless.
How do you approach teaching private lessons? In your experience, what creates a productive bond between teachers and students?
My teaching philosophy focuses on recognizing each student's individuality in both life and music, and uncovering their distinct qualities. I guide them in developing their artistry and craft by identifying their strengths and areas for improvement. Teaching is about finding the raw diamonds and allowing their uniqueness to shine. It's a deeply personal process and a collaborative effort between teacher and student, built on trust, communication, and faith. This partnership can have a profound impact on a young person's life.
You have an impressive track record in competition, having won the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition and the Concert Artists Guild Competition at a young age. How would you go about preparing for competitions or, these days, for important concerts?
Preparation is key. You need a mentor who knows you well and can help you choose the right competitions. Together, you plan a repertoire that showcases your best strengths. Then, you refine it through time and live performances, a strategy I call the microwave approach. Reheating food multiple times can draw out more complex flavors in dishes. Similarly in music, we revisit and refine pieces multiple times over an extended period, each reheating bringing out new layers of musical complexity and interpretation.
Once you have lived with your repertoire, you can take it to competitions. For important concerts nowadays, I plan my seasons well in advance, building programs that bring special meanings to me and working backward to ensure I have ample time to live with them.
What is the most common misconception students have about practicing?
Students often believe that more practice time leads to better results. However, effective practice requires focus, mindfulness, and goal-orientation, not just the quantity of time spent. You must know what you want to achieve before sitting down in front of your instrument.
Outside of piano playing, what activities or daily practices do you believe can enhance musicianship? What additional skills do you think young musicians should acquire before they leave school?
I've been meditating since I was 9, and it has provided me with the focus and clarity essential for performing on stage, especially under pressure. Young musicians should also cultivate self-discipline, time management, and business acumen to navigate the professional world. Through founding and directing two festivals and non-profits, like the Philadelphia Young Pianists' Academy, I've learned tremendously about entrepreneurship, marketing, and social media first hand, which are crucial for young artists today.
What is your favorite repertoire to play, and what do you love about it?
It changes over time. I'm drawn to repertoire with spontaneity, nuances, and emotional depth. I recently released a Franz Liszt album with Pentatone called Liszt Metamorphosis, and focus
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
06/04/2026
Michigan legends bring a new voice to the broadcast as TNT Sports and CBS Sports...
06/04/2026
From high school sports all the way up to the major leagues, building high-quali...
06/04/2026
Quickplay, an AI company for the media and entertainment industry, has been accepted into the Advanced tier of the TwelveLabs Ecosystem Partner Program. Quickpl...
06/04/2026
Grass Valley has announced the Future Playmakers Program, a global initiative to...
06/04/2026
El l der de operaciones impulsa la producci n en estudio mientras encuentra insp...
06/04/2026
The ops leader helps lead the charge in studio for the Spanish-language broadcas...
06/04/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
06/04/2026
The National Hockey League (NHL), in partnership with Verizon and the New Jersey Devils, today announced the opening of the NHL Innovation Lab powered by Verizo...
06/04/2026
Rock League, a new professional curling league, has announced that ESPN+ will stream its inaugural 2026 season for fans in the United States. The first Rock Lea...
06/04/2026
Advanced Systems Group has announced the appointment of Andrea (Andy) Cummis as Vice President of Systems Design and Engineering. In this role, she will lead de...
06/04/2026
Backed by Bolt Ventures, the venture brings Bryson DeChambeau, Grant Horvat, and...
06/04/2026
With this environment we can start that collaboration even earlier because we ca...
06/04/2026
Like the immortal lives of vampires, some stories never really end. That's t...
06/04/2026
As podcasting continues to evolve, growth increasingly means building beyond aud...
06/04/2026
Multiband dynamics plug-in enhanced
California-based developer FSK Audio have released a significant update for their innovative multiband dynamics processo...
06/04/2026
Share official & user-created full-rig presets
IK Multimedia's latest TONEX update makes it possible for users of the popular amp and effects modelling ...
06/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/04/2026
Dalet Showcases Dalia Agentic AI and End-to-End Media Workflows at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Dalet, a leading technology and...
06/04/2026
OpenDrives Shows Off Sports Expertise in Sports Business Hub located in NAB Show...
06/04/2026
Proton to Demonstrate 3D Application at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Yet further creative potential unleashed through innovation in ...
06/04/2026
Autoscript Highlights Voice-Driven Prompting and PTZ Solutions at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton April 6, 2026
0 Comments
Experience Autoscript Voice, PTZ prom...
06/04/2026
Mediaproxy Highlights Significant Enhancements to its LogServer suite at NAB Sho...
06/04/2026
Wayne, N.J., April 6th, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the release of PCC 4...
06/04/2026
April 6th, 2026
TRIBECA STUDIOS AND LILLY ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF INAUGURAL VITAL...
06/04/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Expands Kids Entertainment Lineup With Playground App ...
05/04/2026
Tackles all reported bugs!
SoundBridge have just announced the launch of a new update that introduces a couple of minor changes to their remote collaboratio...
04/04/2026
The University of Arizona's Men's Basketball team has only loss twice th...
04/04/2026
1080p HDR arrives, a new generation of storytelling tools takes center stage, an...
04/04/2026
Michigan legends bring a new voice to the broadcast as TNT Sports and CBS Sports...
04/04/2026
Faster, cleaner and more intuitive than ever
The control software for Flock Audio's digitally controlled patchbay systems has just been treated to an up...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/04/2026
DHD Introduces AI-Based Audio Noise Reduction to XD3 IP Core
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
The accompanying image shows the rear panel of the ...
04/04/2026
Macnica Redefines ST 2110 Flexibility with Two Speeds on One Card
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
New for NAB Show 2026, MEP100 SmartNIC now sup...
04/04/2026
Unified Media Workflows for Story-Centric Production
Brie Clayton April 3, 2026
0 Comments
Framelight X unifies field capture, editing and publishing ...
03/04/2026
Michigan's Fab Five will reunite for an alternate presentation of the Mich...
03/04/2026
Avid will exhibit at NAB Show 2026 (April 18-22, Booth N2226, Las Vegas Convention Center), demonstrating its Content Core platform and new AI-driven workflow c...
03/04/2026
Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC) has announced the appointment of Nick Barthee as Chief Operating Officer.
The announcement follows MRMC's transition fro...
03/04/2026
Interra Systems has announced that Elite Media Technologies has selected its BATON file-based QC solution for media workflows. Elite Media Technologies speciali...
03/04/2026
Ateme has announced that Moldtelecom has deployed Ateme technologies across its streaming workflow, covering encoding, delivery, operations, and analytics.
Mol...
03/04/2026
Grass Valley will demonstrate Framelight X, its content management platform, at NAB Show 2026. The platform connects capture, ingest, editing, and publishing in...
03/04/2026
Encompass Digital Media and Techex have announced a cloud-native Master Control ...
Q&A with Piano Faculty Member Charlotte Hu The acclaimed soloist shares her thoughts on compelling performances, student-teacher bonds, and the microwave approach to audition preparation.
