Jiayin Shen

Piano

BM, MM, University of Michigan, School of Music; DMA, Peabody Conservatory; Pianist Jiayin Shen, the youngest student ever admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, the most prestigious music school in China, brings to her performances extraordinary artistry and charismatic stage presence. She has toured extensively throughout her native China, as well as in Germany, Switzerland, England, Norway, Canada, and the United States, and performed at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China at the personal invitation of the U.S. Ambassador to China. Since 2009 Shen has been a member of the piano faculty at the Preparatory Division of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.

Shen made her American debut in 2002 with the University of Michigan Philharmonic at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the winner of the 2008 Baltimore Music Club Piano Competition, top prizewinner of the Xin Hai National Piano Competition in Beijing, China, and the University of Michigan Concerto Competition. Shen was also awarded an honorary student music award from the Rislov Foundation.

Shen has appeared at renowned international festivals, including the Internationale Konzerabeitswochen in Goslar, Germany; Bowdoin Festival in Maine; Aspen Festival in Colorado; Banff and Toronto Festivals in Canada; and Pianofest in East Hampton, New York. She has performed in master classes and worked with world-class pianists such as Leon Fleisher, Menahem Pressler, Arie Vardi, Marc Durand, Anton Kuerti, Andre Laplant, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Angela Chang, Yong Hi Moon, and Paul Schenly. In addition to her extensive solo endeavors, Shen is actively involved in chamber music performances, takes to the stage in piano duo ensembles, and has collaborated with musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She also served on the juries of MTNA (Music Teacher National Association), Novik Concerto, and Margaret Frank Piano Competitions.

Shen began her professional music studies at age four, making her public debut at age six. Her exceptional talent caught the attention of Professor Guangren Zhou, Chairman of the Piano Department at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 1986, seven-year-old Shen made history as the youngest student ever admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music. In 1997, she came to the United States to study on a full scholarship at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. The following year, Shen was admitted to the Cleveland Institute of Music to study under Paul Schenly. She received her Bachelor and Master degrees in Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, where she completed her studies in the studio of Arthur Greene. In May 2011, Shen completed her Doctoral degree in Musical Arts at the Peabody Conservatory in the studio of Yong Hi Moon.