Matthew Tao is twenty-three years old and is currently a master’s student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he has been studying with Professor Frederic Chiu since his undergraduate years. Matthew enjoys performing frequently as both a solo, chamber, and orchestral pianist, and has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Concert Society through both the Major Artist and Young Artist awards. Recently, Matthew was named the winner of the Carnegie Mellon University Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition and will be performing Edward Gregson’s Piano Concerto with the ensemble in Carnegie Music Hall in the fall season. Last year, Matthew partnered with Solich Piano Pittsburgh to perform a piano recital series at their shop and is continuing to seek new ways to bring stories told by piano music to all audiences. He has also rehearsed and performed regularly alongside larger ensembles at CMU, collaborating with philharmonic orchestra, wind ensemble, and contemporary ensemble.
Matthew began playing the piano at the age of six and a half at Peabody Preparatory (Institute of Johns Hopkins), however he quit a few years into his study due to previous hand and wrist injuries that were not related to practicing and did not begin to pursue piano playing professionally until the start of his undergraduate career in university. He began playing piano again when he was almost sixteen years old because of a longing to play Chopin’s music again and enrolled Peabody Preparatory once more. Matthew found quick success shortly after he returned to practicing the piano, performing in the Peabody Signature Recital series and being nominated to play in the Vella Silver Recital and winning in competitions including the MSMTA Spring Festival and Miriam Gottlieb Memorial Piano Competition. Later, participating in music festivals including Indiana University Piano Academy, Masterclass Anacapri, and Amalfi Coast Piano Festival, Matthew rediscovered his passion for playing piano and decided to pursue a professional career in college to share his love of music with the world.
While away from the piano, Matthew also enjoys composing, playing tennis, traveling around the world, and finding ways of discovering music outside of the practice room. He wishes to bring the joy of music he has discovered with those around him and inspiring younger musicians and audiences alike to explore and be a part of the piano and greater musical community.
Born and raised in Malaysia, Beatrice Khor is an exciting young pianist performing across multiple genres (classical, jazz, R&B) as both a soloist and collaborator. She has won over thirty awards, including first place at the 2025 Keynotes Scholarship; 2024 MTNA Pennsylvania State Competition; the 2022 Aswara International Piano Competition; the 2021 London Youth Piano Competition; the 2020 Brisbane Youth Music Festival (silver); the 2018 Scottish Youth Piano Competition; and numerous national championships in her home country, Malaysia. Beatrice has also toured Ohio and Pennsylvania with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Jukebox Saturday Night, and is part of the Duquesne Jazz Ensemble.
Beatrice is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance at Duquesne University, studying with Dean David Allen Wehr and Dr. Kevin Lee Sun. Her other activities include serving at Mount Hope Community Church as pianist and choir leader, and playing for ballet classes at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.
