Chiao-Yu Wu

Dr. Wu earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Washington, where she studied with the distinguished pianist Robin McCabe. She also holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, where she studied with Christopher Harding, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London under Rustem Hayroudinoff. Her musical development has been further enriched through masterclasses with internationally acclaimed artists Pascal Rogé, Angela Cheng, the Eroica Trio, Gil Kalish, and Mikhail Voskresensky.

An award-winning pianist, Dr. Wu has been recognized with numerous honors, including first prize in the Protégé International Concerto Competition, first prize in the University of Washington Piano Concerto Competition, the Royal Academy of Music Delius Prize, and recognition as a 2026 Husky 100 recipient for her leadership, academic excellence, and service. Following her victory in the Protégé International Concerto Competition, she made her debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York. She was also invited to present at the 2026 Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) Conference, where she shared her perspectives on piano pedagogy and music education.

A dedicated collaborative pianist, Dr. Wu has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the UW Symphony, UW University Singers, La Chorale Francophone de Seattle, Lake Union Civic Orchestra, Bellevue Youth Choir, and Seattle Chamber Opera. She is also committed to expanding today's piano repertoire and is currently collaborating with Seattle-based composer Jim Owen on a recording project featuring his piano works, with the album scheduled for release later this year.

With more than 15 years of teaching experience spanning children and adults, private studios, and university settings, teaching remains at the heart of Dr. Wu's artistic life. During her doctoral studies, she served as a piano teaching assistant at the University of Washington and was twice selected as a finalist for the University of Washington Teaching Excellence Award (2023, 2025), based on student nominations recognizing excellence in teaching and mentorship. She believes every student possesses a unique artistic voice and is dedicated to cultivating creativity, curiosity, and confidence through an individualized and inspiring approach to piano education.

Committed to lifelong learning and service, Dr. Wu is an active member of the Seattle Music Teachers Association (SMTA), the Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA), and the Issaquah Music Club, where she regularly participates in conferences, festivals, workshops, and community outreach initiatives. Beyond the concert stage and classroom, she enjoys bringing music to senior living communities and healthcare settings, believing that music has the power to comfort, connect, and enrich lives.

Whether performing on stage, collaborating with fellow musicians, or mentoring the next generation of pianists, Dr. Wu strives to create artistic experiences that celebrate beauty, foster human connection, and reveal the timeless ability of music to speak across cultures, generations, and disciplines.