
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 ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
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...
03/05/2026
Introducing the new Mistake Workflows Suite: transformative and cost-effective f...
02/05/2026
(L-R) Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall appear in Tuner by Daniel Roher, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of Sundance In...
02/05/2026
Versatile re-amping tool announced
Warm Audio are best known for their recreations of sought-after vintage studio gear, but their latest release brings a ne...
02/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
02/05/2026
Scripps Research immunologist Dennis Burton elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences A leader in broadly neutralizing antibodies, Burton has helped driv...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press rel...
01/05/2026
BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing ( BKB ), today announced the appointment of Will Wright ...
01/05/2026
Lawo has been at the center of the industry's transition to IP and other next-generation technologies. At NAB 2026, its story was the Edge One AV stagebox, ...
01/05/2026
HBA Media, acting on behalf of NBC Sports and Churchill Downs Incorporated, has announced broadcast and streaming distribution for Kentucky Derby 152, taking pl...
01/05/2026
By Bailey Pennick
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...
01/05/2026
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. But a playlist that tells you which The Devi...
01/05/2026
One of the world's biggest popstars is headed to El Cl sico. Later this mont...
01/05/2026
Limited-edition model celebrates 15th anniversary
Heritage Audio's range of monitor controllers has just gained a new member, the Baby RAM Black Edition...
01/05/2026
Dumble recreation now available as UAD plug-in
Along with their renowned processing plug-ins, Universal Audio have been steadily introducing emulations of c...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
To celebrate the opening of its new showroom and office, Lightware UK hosted a dedicated launch event at the new London location. The event welcomed partners, c...
01/05/2026
Choice without compromise
The broadcast industrys transformation is accelerating, and traditional broadcasters are having to fundamentally reinvent how they o...
01/05/2026
Beam Dynamics will return to MPTS 2026 with its asset intelligence platform, helping systems integrators, live production teams, media facilities and profession...
01/05/2026
Best-in-class UX design and rapid, scalable delivery for next-generation viewing experiences
Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced a coll...
01/05/2026
Compact new cforce MAX lens motor brings unrivaled speed and responsiveness to t...
01/05/2026
Panavision welcomes Fritz Heinzle as Vice President of Sales
Brie Clayton May 1, 2026
0 Comments
Heinzle will support Panavision's global growth s...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/05/2026
LONDON, APRIL 30, 2026 The Post Republic London's Re-recording Mixer and Dialogue Editor Dan Johnson has built a reputation for clean, emotionally resonan...
01/05/2026
Adobe Unveils Powerful New Innovations in Photoshop & Lightroom
Deepa Subramaniam April 30, 2026
0 Comments
Your most tedious creative tasks just got ea...
01/05/2026
Berklee Partners with Santander US to Establish Global Opportunity Fund The $400,000 grant offers students access to experiential learning opportunities withi...
01/05/2026
Student Spotlight: Keziah Thomas The Indian composer, who was named the 2026 student commencement speaker for Berklee College of Music, talks about how shes p...
01/05/2026
Friday 1 May 2026
Hannah Waddingham and Ncuti Gatwa to host the series final tw...
01/05/2026
Friday 1 May 2026
Got plans? Cancel them. Sky Sports Big Weekend is coming
Sky Sports is preparing for a bumper weekend of live action, including Manchester ...
01/05/2026
Friday 1 May 2026
Sky Sports to broadcast all matches from World Sevens Football London edition
Sky Sports will be the exclusive UK broadcaster of the women...
01/05/2026
Back to All News
NIAJ Fest Gets Los Angeles In on the Joke With Free Pop-Up Events
Entertainment
01 May 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
...
01/05/2026
RT Sport awarded first pick free-to-air on Wednesday nights
Champions League and Super Cup finals
Highlights on Wednesday nights
RT today (Thursday 30 Apri...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
30/04/2026
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) concluded its third regular season on Saturday, reporting growth across attendance, viewership, digital engage...
30/04/2026
NBC Sports will air national MLB coverage on Sundays beginning May 3, with MLB Sunday Leadoff on Peacock and NBCSN at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by the debut of th...
30/04/2026
Clear-Com has appointed Brian Grahn as Market Outreach Manager of the Americas and Ben Turnwell as Business Development Manager for EMEA live.
Grahn joined Cle...
30/04/2026
ARRI has introduced the cforce MAX, a new lens motor for the Hi-5 lens control system. The cforce MAX is twice as fast as the cforce plus motor it replaces whil...