“Alan Liu is a significant young talent in the world of classical guitar. He is playing with not just impeccable technique and gorgeous sound, but with great expressiveness, musical intent, intelligence, and passion. Alan is one to watch closely.”
- Jason Vieaux, Grammy-winning guitarist and Curtis Institute of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music faculty member
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.”
Beginning with the earliest stages of his musical journey, Liu was an active competitor, receiving his first national prize at seven. From age twelve to fourteen, he earned several awards in North America and Europe, including first prizes in the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, Guitare Montreal International Youth Competition, Northwest International Artist Competition, and Federation of Canadian Music Festivals Guitar Competition, as well as additional prizes in the Parkening International Youth Guitarist Competition and Michele Pittaluga Junior Guitar Competition. Recent awards include first prizes in the Mercatali Gorizia, Josefina P. Tuason, Indiana, and Houston International Classical Guitar Competitions. He also won third prize in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition.
In addition to concerti performances with the Vancouver Symphony, Prince George Symphony, and Juilliard Chamber Orchestra, he has played on the Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver classical guitar societies’ concert series. In 2023, he debuted at Lincoln Center in New York with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Additionally, he has been a featured performer at the Crown, Montreal, and QinLing International Guitar Festivals.
A Master of Music degree candidate, Liu studies with Sharon Isbin at the Juilliard School, where he receives the Augustine Fellowship, McCabe Guitar Fellowship, and C. & H. Lewine Scholarship. Liu received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with David Starobin and Jason Vieaux. He is also 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 Guitar’s Hanson Yao.
Alan’s String of Choice