Award-winning piano performance grad discovers creative opportunities at ASU
Moyi Liu is graduating with a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance this December and is an Outstanding Graduate of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts for fall 2025.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2025 graduates.
Moyi Liu has been nurturing his curiosity for making music since he was very young.
“When I was 4 years old, my grandmother, a kindergarten teacher, taught me the notes on a small electronic keyboard,” he said. “She played simple tunes and encouraged me to imitate them, nurturing both my curiosity and my confidence to make sounds.”
At age 11, he officially began his professional training as a pianist at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music Affiliated High School. He earned a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music.
And now, he is graduating from Arizona State University's School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts with a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance.
Listen
Hear Moyi Liu perform at the 11th Bösendorfer International Piano Competition.
It was that curiosity cultivated as a child that helped lead him to ASU.
“As I continued researching the university, I was drawn to the spirit that seemed to define the school — an atmosphere where people are encouraged to explore, to grow and to create meaningful work that reaches beyond the classroom,” Liu said.
Another reason he chose ASU was to study with Professor Emeritus Robert Hamilton, after discovering Hamilton’s artistry from a recording and later meeting him in person.
Liu said his former teachers have all shaped his musical life in “different and irreplaceable ways,” including Professor Minxia Tao, Professor Yun Sun and Professor Phillip Kawin, and he was excited to grow even more by studying with Hamilton.
“Choosing ASU was not only about the institution itself but about finding the right guidance at a pivotal moment in my artistic life,” Liu said. “Studying with Professor Hamilton and being part of a community where people genuinely care about their craft has turned out to be one of the most meaningful decisions I have ever made.”
While at ASU, he was a semifinalist in the 11th Bösendorfer International Piano Competition and received the Most Outstanding Arizona Pianist award, received second prize in the online 2022 Liszt Center International Piano Competition and was a winner in the 2023 ASU Concerto Competition. In addition, Liu was selected as an Outstanding Graduate of the Herberger Institute for fall 2025.
“In addition to his many exemplary concert performances at ASU, Moyi also provided service to a large number of other music students by collaborating with them for their recitals and opportunities,” Hamilton said.
“Moyi is selfless in his service and leadership for others. I can say without reservation that Moyi Liu has the potential and promise of world success in his chosen field.”
Here, Liu shares more about his college journey.
Question: What is something you learned while at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: I was an accompanist in a concerto competition which included a challenging work requiring a two-piano reduction. My committee chair, Dr. Baruch Meir, encouraged me to create my own accompaniment version. I had taken composition-related courses but never applied those skills to a formal academic project. Under Professor Hamilton’s guidance, I refined the version to make it playable for performance.
Realizing that my academic work as a pianist was not limited to traditional performance studies and that unexplored possibilities at the intersection of performance, analysis, creativity and practical music-making existed, I requested permission from Professor Xuntian He at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music to create a two-piano reduction of his work “Rupa Dance” for my research project. It was a project I had never imagined myself capable of before coming to ASU.
Q: Which professor or faculty member taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Professor Hamilton impacted my musical development and guided my growth by encouraging me to become more confident, trust my instincts and seek meaning in everything I play. He took me to international competitions and encouraged me to experience different musical environments, helping me understand my strengths, where I could grow and future possibilities. I learned that performance is not just about technical achievement; it is also about communicating with sincerity, imagination and courage.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: “Be almost perfect.” This phrase is not about chasing flawlessness, but about approaching every challenge with sincerity, care and a positive spirit while holding yourself to high standards and allowing yourself the freedom to grow, experiment and enjoy the process. Stay open-hearted, appreciate each step, and recognize both your progress and your setbacks as part of the same path to move forward.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus?
A: Katzin Concert Hall is more than a performance space — it is a place where students, faculty and guest artists from around the world come together to exchange ideas, share their work and connect through music. For me, and for many of my peers, it is a place where our efforts, dreams and music converged.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: My goal is to continue my performing and teaching career. This includes giving concerts, participating in competitions, continuing my chamber music and collaborative performance projects. I also hope to teach students of different ages and backgrounds, helping them discover their own relationship with music — whether as a lifelong passion or a meaningful part of their daily lives. While music will always be the core of my identity, I am also open to exploring new possibilities that may connect with or grow alongside my musical career.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I would address mental health. Feelings of anxiety, isolation and internal pressure have become increasingly common challenges, especially among young people. I have always believed in the extraordinary ability of music to reach the heart in ways words alone sometimes cannot.
I would create and develop an organization that integrates music education, music appreciation, music performance and music therapy. I would provide accessible programs for individuals struggling with emotional and psychological challenges — offering not only artistic experiences, but also community, companionship and a safe space for expression. Through meaningful musical encounters, I believe we can help people reconnect with themselves, rediscover hope and see a more beautiful and compassionate world.
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