Get to know Jian before he performs 'Piano Concerto' solo in our upcoming Lamb & Hayward Masterworks Series: Glinka, Britten, Shostakovich - and why he loves returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

What’s your background in music, and what are you doing now?

I’ve been playing the piano since I was six, and I’m still loving it! I’m currently the Deputy Head of School and Head of Piano Studies at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington.

When did you realise you wanted to be a pianist?

That’s an interesting question. I’ve never stopped playing since I was six, although in the early years it was mainly because my teacher and parents encouraged (or disciplined) me. The moment I realised music was more than just a skill came when I was 15, competing in an international competition in the US. The sense of joy and freedom of expression I experienced through performing on stage was so strong and immediate, it became a defining moment in recognising my passion for music.

What do you love most about performing with an orchestra?
I treasure every opportunity to perform with an orchestra. Hearing the piano within a much larger sonic landscape, surrounded by colours and timbres beyond its own possibilities, is incredibly special. Performing a work together feels like being embraced by a living, breathing sound world, while also contributing to it, like I am hugged by music itself!

What’s your most memorable concert, that you’ve attended, played, or both?
There are too many to name, but one that stands out was a Yale School of Music Convocation. The annual tradition was to perform Schubert’s An die Musik, accompanied by faculty. That year, my teacher Claude Frank was at the piano. The accompaniment itself is quite simple, mostly repeating chords, but as the performance began, I saw tears rolling down his face. His playing was, of course, beautiful, but what struck me most was how deeply music was embedded in his life. That such a simple piece could evoke such a powerful emotional response reaffirmed for me that music goes far beyond technique, it reaches places that words simply cannot.

You work with a lot of students—what’s a highlight of passing on your knowledge?
It’s seeing students grow into their own musical voices. Rather than shaping them to play like me or anyone else, I aim to guide them towards discovering their own path. The most rewarding moments are when you see that spark in their eyes, the moment they truly find their own voice.

How are you feeling about playing with CSO?

I’ve now performed with the CSO twice, and each experience has been pure joy. The orchestra’s energy is strong yet warm and inviting. It feels like a genuine collaboration rather than just accompaniment. There’s a real sense of listening and responding to each other. I’m very much looking forward to performing the Britten together.

What do you like about Christchurch?
I love Christchurch! It’s one of my favourite cities in New Zealand. I still remember visiting not long after arriving in New Zealand in 2011, shortly after the earthquake, and seeing the devastation. It’s been incredible to witness the city’s transformation into such a vibrant and energetic place. I always make a stop at Riverside Market, so many fantastic food options. It’s become a must-visit every time I’m there.

What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I’m a bit of a gamer when I have time. My master’s thesis explored the interactive aspects of music and sound in gaming, which surprised my supervisor at Yale. It was great fun presenting it to a room full of classical music scholars and seeing their reactions.