Let's Chat About Shaun Choo

Let’s dive into the world of Shaun Choo, a Singaporean pianist, composer, and teacher from Ad Classica Concentus. Shaun’s journey is a testament to passion and dedication, inspiring audiences and students alike with every note he plays and every project he pioneers.

Shaun’s musical journey began at age seven, where he started playing the piano. Upon attaining his Diploma in Music Performance at fourteen under Ms. Lena Ching, he pursued his studies abroad at the University Mozarteum Salzburg, Austria, graduating with highest distinction the Degrees “Bachelor of Arts” under professors Karl-Heinz Kämmerling and Andreas Weber, and “Master of Arts” under professor Jacques Rouvier respectively. Shaun became the first external piano candidate in years to join the prestigious “Konzertexamen” Postgraduate Program at Berlin University of the Arts in 2020, studying with Björn Lehmann.

When it comes to performing, Shaun’s performing career has taken him across Europe and Asia. He’s performed at iconic venues like the National Concert Hall Beijing, Leipziger Gewandhaus, and Chopin’s birthplace in Zelazowa Wola, captivating audiences at festivals such as the Duszniki Chopin Piano Festival. As a soloist, he’s collaborated with orchestras like the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz and Mozarteum Symphony Orchestra. A prizewinner at over ten international competitions, Shaun clinched first place at the Artur Schnabel Piano Competition Berlin (2020) and earned five Chopin competition awards across Hungary, France, China, South Korea, and Australia.

As an avid composer, Shaun often performs his own works during recitals. His 4-hands work “Fiestravaganza,” with nearly 6 million YouTube views, has won duo competition prizes and sold hundreds of copies online. During his two-year military service, he composed the Signal Formation Song for the Singapore Armed Forces. Original works like A Lonely Valentine and Bossa Nova are available on his website, musicshaun.com, showcasing his creative versatility. Back home, Shaun is featured in many local publications such as The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao. His album “Chopin: The Complete Preludes” was among The Straits Times’ top three classical albums of 2018.

Shaun is also a dedicated educator, serving as Adjunct Lecturer at Singapore’s Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He’s a sought-after mentor, with students winning international prizes, and conducts masterclasses at established institutions such as the Steinway STEPS program, Keimyung University (Daegu, South Korea), Bela Bartok University (Miskolc, Hungary) and the International Summer Academy Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria).

Beyond performance and teaching, Shaun is a trailblazer. In 2022, he started Camerata Fiestravaganza, a chamber orchestra uniting over 40 talented musicians from Berlin’s top music universities. In 2023, he founded the Fiestravaganza International Music Academy (FIMA), Berlin’s first major piano summer academy, offering young talents performance opportunities, masterclasses, and access to Bechstein’s Vintage Keyboard Instrument collection.

What’s next for Shaun? His website, musicshaun.com, provides updates on his activities and sheet music for purchase. For those eager to follow his journey, it’s the go-to spot to explore his music and connect with his work.