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Irish-Chinese pianist Aidan Chan is an RCM Scholar Â鶹ÊÓƵ, where his DMus research explores postcolonial identity, cultural hybridity, and the politics of representation through Western classical music performance, supervised by Dr. Maiko Kawabata.

As a performer, Aidan has been described as “fearless and uncompromising”, having performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the US (Carnegie Hall), UK (Wigmore Hall), Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, China and across Ireland. As a concerto soloist he has performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Budweis and the TUD Sinfonia. Aidan has been a frequent prizewinner in competitions across Europe, and was recipient of the 2023 RDS Music Bursary, the most prestigious Western classical music award in Ireland.

Aidan is particularly passionate about performing music by contemporary composers, commissioning and premiering Knuckleduster (2021), torn, to the ground, exhausted, sobbing (2024), and 3 Chinese Myths (2024) by Alex Ho, as well as Polygon by Delyth Field (2022) and Reflections and Refractions by Philip Hammond (2023). Described as an “innovative programme planner”, he places a particular emphasis on exploring thematic concepts through performance. In 2023, his Masters graduation recital programme examined the reconstruction and deconstruction of tradition, including elements of sean-nós singing, improvisation and poetry from Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictée.

Aidan previously obtained a Master of Music degree with distinction from the same institution under the tutelage of Professors Nigel Clayton and Andrew Zolinsky, having also previously completed his undergraduate studies there with first class honours.

Highlights of the 23/24 season include a live recorded Irish premiere of John Adams’ Eros Piano with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, performances of his interdisciplinary Wagnerisms curation examining the consumption of Wagner in contemporary contexts, and a residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada.

Photo: Frances Marshall Photography

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Faculties / departments: Research

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