Lauded for her “particularly lovely” playing and “boundless creativity”, pianist Candace Chien is an versatile performer and teacher in the New York City area.  Comfortable as both soloist and collaborator, Candace’s diverse performing life includes recent recitals with New Jersey Symphony concertmaster Eric Wyrick, chamber music performances at Kimmel Center Perelman Hall and Academy of Music, Trinity Wall Street St. Paul’s Chapel, as well as solo concerto appearances with Chelsea Symphony, Temecula Valley Symphony, and Accord Symphony.   Candace maintains relationships  with many independent New York City opera companies as repetiteur, and has appeared as part of On Site Opera’s collaboration in Caramoor’s 2022 summer season alongside Stephanie Blythe and Laquita Mitchell.  Candace also splits her time between New York and California as one of the orchestral pianists for San Diego Symphony.  She was also chosen as Music for Autism’s Spotlight Artist of 2022, advocating for neurodiverse classical music experiences with “extraordinary artistry and humanity”.

Passing on her love of classical music to the next generation is a particular passion for Candace.  Aside from a flourishing private studio, she is also faculty at Music Conservatory of Westchester.  She has held piano faculty positions at Summit Music Festival, Burgos International Music Festival, International Music Academy in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Usdan Center of Creative and Performing Arts and Point Counterpoint Chamber Music Festival, as well as music teaching positions in the public schools of Westfield, New Jersey and Queens, New York.  She appears as a master clinician for Anemone Music Studio, and Main Line Music Teachers Association.  Along with acceptances to LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts, West Chester University, University of North Texas, and Temple University, Candace’s students are also  prize winners at various competitions, performing at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall, Academy of Music, and more.

  Candace is a graduate of The Juilliard School, studying with Jonathan Feldman and Margo Garrett, and continues on at Juilliard as one of their staff pianists. She received her Master’s degree in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music with the guidance of Jeffery Cohen and obtained her undergraduate degree in piano performance and music education at Temple University under Professor Harvey Wedeen.  In her spare time between teaching and performing, one can also find Candace in the kitchen.  Her personal connection to music and food can be seen on Food Network tv show, Cooks Versus Cons, Season 4 in the episode “Fry, Fry Again!”.