Wenjing Liu

Described as a passionate, yet intense pianist full of musicality, Dr. Wenjing Liu-Hallberg, a solo performer and chamber musician, has performed throughout the United States, China, and Italy. A scope of her concert engagements expand from prestigious professional concert venues, such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall in New York, to major academic institute worldwide.. She has performed in various music festivals including Amalfi Coast Music Festival (Italy), Schlern Music Festival (Italy), PianoSummer in New Paultz (New York), and Rebecca Pennys Piano Festival (Florida).

 

A solo pianist of national and international acclaim, Liu received the first-prize at the American Protégé International Competition in New York City, Asia Piano Competition of China, second-prize in the 17th American Piano Competition of Yantai China. Additionally, she was a finalist in the Schlern International Piano Competition in Italy and The Kankakee Piano Concerto Competition in the United States. As a chamber musician, she has performed in various groups and venues around the world. She frequently collaborates with her husband, saxophonist Dr. John Hallberg, in recitals and guest artist appearances.

 

Dr. Liu is currently on the piano faculty of the Orange County School of the Arts and serves as CEO of the North Orange County Conservatory of Music. Previously, she held positions at the University of Iowa where she taught both group piano and applied lessons. She is also a frequent lecturer and master class clinician, most recently visiting the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Shandong University of Weihai, and a variety of music studios throughout China.

 

Many of her students excel through California’s Certificate of Merit program, often receiving honorable mentions, and have successfully received top prizes at competitions including the Satori Summer Music Festival, LA Young Pianist Competition, Glendale Piano Competition, Musical Arts Club of Orange County, LA Liszt Competition, MTNA Piano Competitions, Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Competition, and the International Music Competition ‘Brussels’ Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition. Additionally, many of her students participate in music festivals and community ensembles outside of lessons such as the Style Piano Festival and the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic, respectively. Her students have been accepted into leading universities throughout California.

 

Beginning her piano studies at the early age of 6, Wenjing holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from Illinois State University, and a Bachelor of Music from Shandong University at Weihai.