Lizhen Wu

Pianist Lizhen Wu was born in 1988 in the town of Yue Yang in the People’s Republic of China. He began studying the piano at the age of 5. Because of his promising musical gifts, he was accepted into the Wuhan Conservatory, which necessitated moving away from home. He studied at the Conservatory with Wang Xian, who remained his teacher until he came to the United States in 2006. Mr. Wu – known to his American friends as Rick – won First Prize in the Hazimen Piano Competition in China and was invited to the United States to perform at four universities, including the University of North Texas. He auditioned for the Bachelor of Performing Arts degree at the UNT College of Music, and was accepted as a freshman performance major in the fall of 2006 on a scholarship, and studying with Dr. Pamela Mia Paul. In 2012, Mr Wu was accepted as a graduate student at SMU with full scholarship. He is currently studing with Joaquin Achucarro. Lizhen participated was also a quarterfinalist in the Dallas International Piano Competition 2013.