School of Music

Po-Chuan Chiang

Po-Chuan Chiang, D.M.A.
Facuty Assistant - Accompanying Coordinator
Browne 126B
Email: P-Chiang@wiu.edu

With a diverse educational background and a passion for the piano, Po-Chuan Chiang has contributed to the field through performance, teaching, and adjudication, which have taken him across North America, Asia, and Europe. Currently serving as Staff Pianist Coordinator at Western Illinois University (WIU), he plays a pivotal role in coordinating collaborative piano assignments for ensembles, recitals, and applied studios.

As a dedicated chamber musician, Chiang maintains an active performance schedule, frequently collaborating with faculty and guest artists, and showcasing a wide-ranging repertoire from Brahms and Dvořák to contemporary and cross-cultural works. He has performed on broadcasts such as Classical King FM 98.1 (Seattle), Interlochen Public Radio’s "In Studio A," and on stages including the Taipei National Recital Hall, as well as various university concerts, chamber music, and Noon-time concert series. He has been featured at conferences, including the College Music Society, ACDA, and the Illinois Music Educators Association.

Solo performance highlights in his career include Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments at Carnegie Hall with WIU Wind Ensemble, a recital of French Romantic works in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and a solo appearance at Ian Hobson’s Piano Institute in Puerto Rico. Passionate about education, he has given masterclasses and guest recitals at institutions such as the Tainan National University of the Arts, University of South Alabama, and Walla Walla University. He served as a co-director and faculty member of WIU’s 2022, 2024, and 2025 Summer Music Institute piano camps and as a temporary piano instructor at Monmouth College and Knox College.

During the summer, Chiang brings his collaborative expertise to programs like Interlochen Center for the Arts, Scuola Italia in Italy, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where he performs in orchestras, recitals, and masterclasses while mentoring young musicians. He also works as the collaborative pianist for the professional vocal ensemble  WithOneVoice.

His talent and artistry have led to a number of honors, including First Prize in the American Protégé International Music Competition ensemble group and the Nancy Kennedy Wustman Memorial Award in Vocal Accompanying. His recent CD, Brahms & Franck: Sonatas for Violin and Piano, a collaboration with violinist Qian Yin, received a Gold Medal from the Global Music Awards in March 2023.

Chiang holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied with Dr. Ian Hobson. He also earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music from the Tainan National University of the Arts.