Li Wang

Li Wang was born in Beijing, China, in 1974. He began his piano studies under his father, Yan-Qiao Wang, a composer of distinction in China, and was accepted to study at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music at the age of 6. His studies later continued in Japan under the renowned pedagogue Hiroko Edo, and in France at the Conservatoire national superiere de musique in Paris, under the tutelage of Brigitte Engerer. He went on to study in Canada at The Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of James Anagnoson. He currently resides in Toronto.

Wang's passionate and distinctively personal style of playing is quickly earning him recognition as one of Canada's finest young artists. His most recent achievement in the arena of international competitions was in May 2003, when he was awarded both the 2nd prize and Best Concerto Prize from a field of 62 pianists competing at the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition.

Mr. Wang was also a first prize winner in Brazil's Arts Livre Competition, a Gold Medalist in the First Canadian Chopin Competition (as well as receiving a special prize for both best Mazurka and best Polonaise), a Silver Medalist in the 9th Southern Missouri International Piano Competition, 3rd prize in the 37th Maria Canals International Piano Competition in Barcelona, and a finalist (from a field of 80 pianists) at the prestigious Liszt Competition in Budapest.

He has been heard both as soloist and chamber musician in Canada, the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia.. In Canada he has been heard in venues such as the Ford Centre and Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, and the Playhouse in Vancouver. His recital at the Seventh International Great Romantics Festival in Hamilton - a special invitation appearance as a result of his electrifying performances at the Liszt Competition in Budapest - earned a standing ovation. As well, his playing has been broadcast on CBC and CJRT radio, and both BRAVO! arts channel and City TV. Recent recital appearances in the United States include an appearance in Boston's Jordan Hall.

Mr. Wang has performed in Europe numerous times, including appearances in France, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ireland. As well, in September 2000 he was invited to perform an all-Chopin recital at a Chopin Festival in Antonin, Poland. In Asia he has performed in China and, more recently, in Japan, in a concert sponsored by the Canadian Embassy that was attended by their Royal Highnesses, Prince and Princess Takamado. Wang's appearances with orchestra include concertos with the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia Cultura Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.