Biography

Luxembourgish pianist Chiahu Lee (Chia-Chia) has carved a singular artistic path by reinventing the classical canon through bold reimaginings and collaborative projects. Her most recent release, (ré)inventions à deux pianos, published by Universal Edition and recorded for Diversions, has been praised internationally, including by BBC Music Magazine, which described her work as “an invigorating and beguiling spring clean for the ears.” Expanding J. S. Bach’s 15 two-part inventions into a kaleidoscope for two pianos, she fuses classical counterpoint with echoes of pop, minimalism, and smooth jazz—an approach that underlines her distinct musical voice.

This spirit of reinvention has long shaped her career. Alongside her role as professor of piano at the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, she has curated projects that unite performance with social conscience and consistently balance tradition with innovation: Festreeval (linking piano variations with biodiversity), Goldberg by 32 pianists– a variation a day keeps the doctor away (a lockdown solidarity initiative), Medtness (a tour reviving the chamber music of Nikolai Medtner) and composer pour le piano…autrement! (encouraging collaboration between composition and piano students). As artistic director of Fingertips ASBL, she raised more than €26,000 for charitable causes through innovative concert formats.

Her activities extend beyond music into photography and design, often integrated into her artistic projects. Recognised with prizes such as the John Manduell Prize for entrepreneurship and the Fonds stART-up award, Chiahu continues to build a career that bridges performance, pedagogy, and creative reinvention.

Chiahu began studying piano at the Conservatoire of Luxembourg City with Caroline Tse and Beatrice Rauchs when she was just five years of age. In 2008, she received her Premier Prix in chamber music with great distinction, as well as the Diplôme Supérieur in piano with distinction in the following year.

For both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Chiahu won an entrance scholarship at the Royal Northern College of Music. Under the tutelage of Helen Krizos, she completed her Bachelor’s degree with distinction in 2014 and already in the following year obtained her Master’s diploma.

Chiahu was the finalist of the RNCM Schubert Prize, the Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias Piano Festival and the Lions Club International European Music Competition, and has been awarded the Stephen Bell Award, the William Humphreys Dayas Prize, the Helen Porthouse Prize, the Pinson/Pierce Award for Bach performance and third prize at the RNCM Recital Prize. In May 2024, Chiahu won 1st place at the entrance exam for piano professor at the Conservatory of Luxembourg City.

For her initiative at Project Fingertips (Fingertips ASBL), she has been awarded the prestigious Sir John Manduell Prize, an award in the name of the Founding Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music in the interests of promoting and rewarding entrepreneurship. Fingertips raised an amount of over 26.000 Euros for different charity projects from 2012-2022.

Outside of the piano, Chiahu had her first photography solo exhibition in February 2015 curated by ArtVanguard in Manchester, and was awarded first prize at the RNCMCU photography competition later in June. The following year, she had the honour of showcasing the collaborative work ‘52‘ at Didsbury Art Festival.