Dr. Jianan Xu
Oberlin Conservatory and College (BM)
Mannes School of Music (MM)
University of Kansas (DMA)
Member of Shanghai Professional Pianists' Society
Biography
Dr. Jianan Xu, a Chinese pianist, is earning praise from famous musician Solomon Mikowsky for his "incredible technique and musical sensitivity." Jianan completed his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Piano Performance at the University of Kansas, where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. He earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Mannes School of Music, where he studied under professors Vladimir Feltsman, Alvin Chow, Alan Chow, and Angela Cheng. He also received specialized training in fortepiano with American keyboardist David Breitman. His foundational piano education began at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China, where he studied with Professors Shao Dan, Wu Ying, and Zhou Ting.
His vibrant performance at the “Third Beethoven Festival Young Pianists Piano Competition” was recognized by the judges, who selected him for the first prize and invited him to perform at a special concert during the Beethoven Festival in Bonn, Germany. Jianan also has amassed numerous awards, including first prize at the Charleston International Piano Competition, first prize at the Four Cities Piano Competition, second prize at the University of Kansas Piano Concerto Competition, semifinalist at the London International Concerto Competition, the Suzana Szorenyi International Duo Piano Competition in Bucharest, Romania, and the Wideman International Piano Competition. At the age of 12, he gave his first solo recital at the Shanghai Concert Hall. His performance career spans solo recitals and chamber music concerts across Spain, Germany, France, China, the United States, and Romania. As an advocate for piano duos and chamber music, he has consistently dedicated himself to various charitable performances. He has participated in numerous chamber music and piano duos concerts across China. In 2019, he organized and directed China's first multi-piano concert in Hangzhou. The concert caused a sensation and garnered significant attention across China, introducing audiences to diverse forms of piano performance.
Beyond his performance, Jianan is an accomplished piano teacher. He received a piano pedagogy cognate from the University of Kansas. He has taught at the Shanghai Experimental School and the University of Kansas School of Music. His students have gained admission to conservatories worldwide, including Michigan State University, Mannes School of Music, Lynn University, Xi’an Conservatory, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. As an active jury member, Jianan has served in renowned competitions such as the Shanghai International Piano Competition and the Liszt International Youth Piano Competition. He is an honorary member of both the Shanghai Musicians Association and the Piano Committee of the Shanghai Musicians Association. Jianan just had a recording project with Dr. Sergei Kvitko of the Blue Griffin label; the release is scheduled for 2026.
