Baolu Chen has appeared in numerous recitals as soloist and accompanist throughout the U.S., Europe, and China and has performed at many prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Drinko Hall in Cleveland, Weigel Hall in Columbus, Holsclaw Hall in Tucson, Smith Memorial Hall in Chicago, Murphy Hall in Kansas, China National Center for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Grand Theatre and Hong Kong Performing Arts Center. Dr. Chen’s has made tours in China, Italy and Malaysia, and concerto engagements with some world renowned orchestras.
Dr. Chen currently is the Chairman of Virtuoso Artist Foundation of North America, the founder and Director of the Ohio International Piano Festival & Competition (OIPF), the Director and resident Artist of Cleveland International Art Culture Center, the featured Artist of the Dougbe River Foundation, the Director and Chairman of Jury of United States Virtuoso International Piano Competition and Richard T. Sunderland Memorial International Piano Competition, the president at Global Outstanding Chinese Artists Association in Cleveland Chapter, and the Director of Music Performance at the First Congregational Church in Twinsburg.
Dr. Chen has been invited to adjudicate numerous national and international competitions in the U.S. and around the world, including United States Virtuoso International Piano Competition, Hong Kong International Piano Competition, Richard T. Sunderland Memorial International Piano Competition, Thailand Chopin International Piano Competition, Thailand Mozart International Piano Competition, Cleveland CCCCA International Piano Competition, International Piano Competition in China and South Korea International Art Festival and GOCAA Youth Pianist Competition.
Significant awards and prizes have been presented to Dr. Chen in world class piano competitions, including Wiesbaden International Piano Competition in Germany, and the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition in the United States.
Before he came to U.S., Dr. Chen was teaching faculty in the school of music at Minzu University of China and taught applied lessons in piano at Ohio State University in Columbus. Dr. Chen is highly involved in education and outreach of classical music. He also often offers masterclasses at universities or schools of music in China and Europe.
Dr. Chen received his Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees from Tianjin Conservatory of Music and Cleveland State University, studying with the Grammy Award winner Angelin Chang and Xie Yuan. Dr. Chen received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Ohio State University, under the supervision of professor Steven Glaser. He has also coached for chamber music with Peter Otto, the first associate concertmaster in Cleveland Orchestra. In addition, Dr. Chen has received coaching from internationally renowned pianists and educators including Richard Goode, Ian Hobson, Jeffrey Kahane, Adam Wodnicki, Robert Hamilton, Arthur Greene, Shelia Paige, and Zhou Guangren, among others.