Competence VS Competition: Mindsets in Musical Learning
Shaun Choo was born in Singapore and commenced piano studies at the age of 7. Upon attaining his Diploma in Music Performance at 14 under Ms. Lena Ching, he pursued his studies abroad at the University Mozarteum Salzburg, Austria, under the guidance of the late renowned pedagogue Professor Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, and Professor Andreas Weber, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Shaun’s performing career has taken him across Europe and Asia. Venue highlights include the National Concert Hall in Beijing, Bregenzer Festspielhaus, Leipziger Gewandhaus and Chopin’s birthplace in Zelazowa Wola. He has been invited to festivals such as the Schwetzinger Festspiele, Duszniki Chopin Piano Festival, and Klavierfrühling Deutschlandsberg, and has also performed at various international events and congresses. Shaun often appears as soloist with orchestras such as the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz, Mozarteum Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Philharmonic, and Leipzig Academic Orchestra.
Shaun has won awards at various international competitions which include 8 first prizes. He emerged victorious at the 3rd International Piano Competition Istanbul Orchestra’ Sion, and is a five-time prizewinner at international Chopin competitions held in Hungary, France, China, South Korea and Australia. Other notable triumphs include the Rotary Club Piano Competition Lindau, Grotrian Steinweg Piano Competition Beijing, ZF MusikPreis Friedrichshafen, as well as prizes at the "Flame" International Competition Paris and Blüthner Golden Tone Award in Vienna.
An avid composer, Shaun often performs his own works during recitals. He was commissioned by the Singapore Armed Forces to compose the Signal Formation Song during his two-year military service. He has conducted several masterclasses, and is a recurring professor at the International Summer Academy Mozarteum. He holds the title of Adjunct Professor in Chun University Charlotte, North Carolina.
Shaun is currently in the Master Program at the Mozarteum in the class of renowned Professor Jacques Rouvier, and is also under the tutelage of pianist Dang Thai Son.
This evening, Shaun will present a varied programme of Bach-Busoni, Schubert, Chopin, Debussy, and Kapustin, and share his experiences with the preparation of selected pieces.