International Bronze Medalist Kate Liu to Perform at Nichols Concert Hall in January

After capturing the Bronze Medal at the prestigious Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Kate Liu, an alumna of the Music Institute of Chicago, makes her first Chicago concert appearance on Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in downtown Evanston. The concert, which the Music Institute is presenting in partnership with the Steinway Piano Galleries of Chicago, benefits the Emilio del Rosario Scholarship Fund for Young Pianists.

Liu will perform works by Chopin, including the Sonata No. 3 in B Minor and Mazurkas, Op. 56. In addition to the Bronze Medal, she also received the Mazurka Prize at the Competition. Later in 2016, Liu will embark upon an international concert tour, including Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, and Shanghai.

The 21-year-old Liu is from Winnetka, Illinois and attended New Trier High School. She studied at the Music Institute beginning in 2004 with the late Emilio del Rosario, then with Micah Yui and Alan Chow. She now studies with Robert McDonald at the Curtis Institute of Music. Kate Liu was a member of the inaugural class of the Academy, a special program at the Music Institute for gifted pre-college musicians. The Academy, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has consistently produced world-class classical musicians with significant performing careers, including violist Matthew Lipman and cellist Gabriel Cabezas.

Regarding Kate Liu, Alan Chow, piano faculty at Northwestern University and the Music Institute of Chicago Academy program, commented, "Kate is an absolute joy to know and to teach... What sets her apart from other pianists of her generation are perhaps two things: first, her intensely personal desire to know more, to search for meaning and answers in her music-she is always thinking and is never easily satisfied. Second, it's her ability to express and communicate her emotions fully and completely in performance-she's 'in the moment' on stage. And when she performs, it's completely honest-no affectations of any kind. I think this combination of qualities is quite rare in someone her age. She is clearly on the verge of a wonderful performing career!"

Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience. Music Institute locations include Chicago, Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

The Music Institute of Chicago's presentation of Kate Liu in concert takes place Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org or 847.905.1500. All programming is subject to change. For more information, visit musicinst.org.

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