Congcong Chai, recognized as one of the most reputable pianists of his generation, has earned high praise for his piano performances in the US and Europe. TheaterJones and DallasMorning News have described him as a “most gifted” and “individualistic, effective with formidable technique” pianist, solidifying his position among the genuine talents of his era.
Mr. Chai’s list of accolades includes winning the Astral National Audition (Philadelphia, 2016), being the 1st Prize Winner of the 14th Padova International Music Competition (Italy, 2016), Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan International Piano Competition (New York 2014), and securing the Top Winner and Audience Prize of the 22nd IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition (Italy, 2013). Additionally, he clinched the 1st Prize in the Dallas International Piano Competition (Dallas, 2013) and is a prize winner of the 53rd Sorantin International Competition for Piano and Strings, MTNA National Music Competition, and the American Prize “Lorin Hollander Award.”
His performances have captivated audiences across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, forging associations with eminent conductors such as Richard McKay, Robert Ward, Benjamin Cline, and Yondani Butt. As a soloist, he has collaborated with esteemed orchestras like the Dallas Chamber Symphony, Vienna International Orchestra, Hays Symphony Orchestra, Guang Dian Symphony Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony in the Valley. His collaborative ventures extend to Rolston String Quartet, Ensemble l’Aube, Ensemble Kiowa, Xian Song Piano Trio, and Cincinnati New World Chamber Orchestra.
In the 2017-2018 season, Mr. Chai showcased his talents through recitals in Italy, Poland, Serbia, China, and the United States. He embarked on a tour with the IBLA Foundation in March 2018, covering Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. July 2018 saw him touring China with Cincinnati New World Chamber Orchestra, delivering nine concerts at major venues from Shanghai Concert Hall to Chongqing Grand Theatre. Recent significant recital appearances include Qintai Concert Hall, Changsha Concert Hall, Zhengzhou Grand Theatre, Tangshan Grand Theatre, and Shanxi Grand Theatre. Beyond his performances, he actively imparts knowledge through masterclasses, lectures, and judges piano competitions in China, the United States, Georgia, and Italy. As a guest artist, Mr. Chai has been invited to perform at Fort Hays International Keyboard Festival in the U.S., Tengiz Amirejibi International Music Festival in Georgia, IBLA Grand Prize Competition and Festival in Italy, Hangzhou Poli Young Artists Music Festival, Harbin International Piano Pedagogy Festival, and MTNA-China Art Festival in Guangzhou, China, and Singapore International Musical Festival.
His professional roles include serving as Piano Instructor at Wuhan Conservatory in China, Visiting Professor at Hainan University, Sector Supervisor at South-Central University for Nationalities, faculty member at the International Institute for Young Musicians in the U.S., and founder and director of Stella Music Foundation.
Born in Xian, China, Mr. Chai commenced his piano studies with his mother at a young age. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts under Professor Eleanor Wong, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas, U.S.A., under Dr. Jack Winerock. His influential teachers also include Zheng Shuxing, Dan Zhaoyi, Scott McBride Smith, and Massimiliano Ferrati.