Other competitions saw her name high up among the prize-winner list, such as the Ferrol International Competition, Jaén International Piano Competition, Maria Canals, Santander (Spain), Pozzoli (Italy) and Dublin International Piano Competition. After moving to the UK from her native country China, Chenyin has gained a devoted following around the world, assuring a successful performing career that includes concerto performances with many leading orchestras, such as the Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra (Denmark), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (USA), the Regensburg Symphony Orchestra (Germany) to name a few. Her recital highlights include highly acclaimed debut recital at the Royal Festival Hall and she also appear regularly in prestigious London venues such as Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Adrian Boult Hall (Birmingham), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester) and Royal Concert Hall (Glasgow).
Amongst many chamber music collaborations, Chenyin has performed with the notable Ysaye Quartet, and has also participated in International music festivals such as Presteigne, Leeds, Machynlleth and Ribble Valley International Festivals. Outside the UK she performed in USA, Spain, France, Holland, China, Germany, Ireland, Japan and Italy. Chenyin appeared to great acclaim at the New Zealand International Piano Festival last year, appearing as a major performer in several concerts and public master-classes. Her solo recital was described by the New Zealand Herald as ‘…by far, the most rewarding evening of the festival’.
During her formative years, Chenyin studied with Bi-gang Chen, Zhong Hui and Hui-li Li at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, and later at the University of Auckland in New Zealand with Professor Tamas Vesmas. Gaining a full scholarship from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she moved to London to study with Professor Joan Havill. During her years in GSMD, she obtained the Postgraduate Concert Recital Diploma, Premiere Prix and the Master Degree. In January 2008, she was the first ever student to gain a Performance Doctorate Degree from the Guildhall School and City University. During her studies she was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships such as KPMG/Martin, Solti Foundation, Myra Hess Trust, Ian Fleming & Hattori Foundation Scholarships.
Chenyin’s playing has been heard through numerous radio and television broadcasts in countries such as Spain, Ireland, New Zealand and China. Her recordings include CDs from the Scottish International Piano Competition, Irish contemporary piano music, a CD featuring the piano music of British composer Rhian Samuel and a DVD from the Auckland International Piano Festival in New Zealand.
In 2010 she has performed concerts in Denmark and Spain, as well as being invited to play in Taiwan and New Zealand. Future engagements include the Xiamen International Piano Festival and the Ripon International Music Festival. Chenyin is currently recording a CD of Debussy’s piano music under the Bluthner label, which will be released in 2012. Her book, Memorisation: Essential Guide for Pianists is published by VDM Verlag.
Dr. Li teaches piano at the Junior Guildhall School of Music in London, and is a founding member of the East-West Piano Trio. This season the East-West trio can be seen performing across the UK as well as in Europe. From 2011 she has been signed as the exclusive pianist recording the covermount CD for 'Pianist' magazine, the most widely distributed piano magazine in the world.
