Alan Liu, guitar

The emerging Chinese-Canadian star, his playing imbued with extraordinary clarity, definition, and naturalness of phrasing

“A leading guitarist of his generation … his sublime artistry and virtuosity will continue to inspire the world for years to come.” – Sharon Isbin

When named as a 14-year-old teenager to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “30 Hot Musicians Under 30”, Chinese-Canadian guitarist Alan Liu’s talent was recognized by the commentator’s succinct and compelling summation: “Just wow.”

Liu’s musical journey began at five, when he first saw a flamenco guitar performance. Drawn to the virtuosity, expressivity, and charm of the guitarist, with encouragement from his parents, Liu soon began learning the guitar. Less than a year later, he also picked up the piano.

Since the early stages of his musical journey, Liu has been an active competitor. Receiving his first national prize in Beijing at the age of seven, Liu was awarded several prizes from age twelve to fourteen, including first prize in the Guitar Foundation of America International Junior Competition, Guitare Montreal International Youth Competition, Northwest Guitar Festival, and Canadian National Music Festival (FMCF) Guitar Competition, with additional prizes in the Parkening International Youth Guitar Competition, Guitar Foundation of America International Senior Competition, and Michele Pittaluga Junior Competition. Recent awards include first prizes in the Denver International Guitar Competition, Indiana International Guitar Competition, XVIII Mercatali Gorizia International Guitar Competition, Houston International Classical Guitar Competition, and third prize in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. He became the first winner of the Juilliard Guitar Concerto Competition in over 20 years and made his Lincoln Center debut in 2023.

Liu’s past engagements include performances of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Juilliard Chamber Orchestra, and Rodrigo’s Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. As a solo guitarist, Liu has given concerts in the Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver classical guitar societies’ concert series and has also been a featured performer at the Crown, Montreal, and QinLing International Guitar Festivals. Chamber highlights include Four’s Company by Paul Lansky with the Curtis Guitar Quartet, recorded on Bridge Records and performed on the composer’s birthday concert in Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, as well as working with Liu’s Curtis colleague Leigha Amick to premiere the composer’s Different Universes, a duo for guitar and percussion.

As a Master of Music candidate, Liu studies with Sharon Isbin at the Juilliard School, where he receives a full-ride scholarship. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, he studied with David Starobin and Jason Vieaux. His previous teachers include Daniel Bolshoy, Jonathan Leathwood, Keiko Alexander, LayTuan Tan, Michael Partington, Ping Jin, Rene Izquierdo, and Xia Yang. Liu is the recipient of the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award and an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival.

Liu plays on Augustine Strings, inventor of the nylon strings for guitar. He uses instruments made by renowned luthiers Martin Blackwell and Altamira Guitars’ Hanson Yao. He is both an Augustine and Altamira Artist.

Host or Publisher New York City Classical Guitar Society