About Me.
A Taiwanese pianist, Amy (Ying-Chen) Kuo frequently performs as a soloist and collaborator currently based in San Jose, CA. She has performed across the United States, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, and Taiwan.
Kuo began playing piano at the age of seven and made her solo debut at age twelve at the Michaelhouse Centre, Cambridge University. Since then, she has performed internationally. She has received prizes at several competitions, including 1st Place in the United States International Music Competition. In addition to her studies with her mentors, Kuo has participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Alon Goldstein, Ning An, Daniel Pollack, Liza Stepanova, Irina Morozova, Sandra Wright, and Ruth Slenczynska.
A passionate advocate for chamber music, Kuo has been invited to join prestigious programs, including the Music in Picture Outreach Fellowship by the Rosemary Beach Foundation and the Chamber Music Silicon Valley Emerging Artist Fellowship. Highlights from these programs include performing the J. S. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and curating a contemporary program for Santa Clara University’s Recital Series. Additionally, she has been served as a collaborative pianist for Florida State University, San Jose State University, National Kaohsiung Normal University, and as a staff accompanist for the Prague Piano Festival and United States International Music Competition.
As an experienced music educator, Kuo has over ten years teaching experience, working with students of different age groups and all levels. She served as teaching assistant for group piano classes at Florida State University and has presented at the national Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) conference.
Kuo earned her Doctor of Music in Piano Performance from Florida State University, where she studied under Dr. David Kalhous and held a graduate teaching assistantship. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Piano Performance from National Kaohsiung Normal University in Taiwan, studying with Chih-Yu Chen. She later completed her Master of Music in piano performance at San Jose State University on a full scholarship, studying under Dr. Gwendolyn Mok.