Chinese composer and pianist, Tian Qin, graduated from Shanghai Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music, studying composition with Ying Din and Marjorie Merryman; piano with Xiangjun Yu and Jiayin Li. Tian recently received her Master’s in music composition at Rice University with the Brown Fellowship, studying with Karim Al-Zand, Shi-hui Chen, and Pierre Jalbert.

Tian has composed and played the piano since age nine. Her music is compelling, humorous, precise, and visual. She enjoys collaborating and exploring different roles she can play in her artistic language. Her compositions have been performed or workshopped by many ensembles such as the Atlantic Music Festival contemporary ensemble, the Rhythm Method, Loadbang, Roomful of Teeth, and Duo Impetuoso. She is also the winner of the AGO student commissioning project 2024.

Tian has a strong passion for teaching. She taught music theory and ear training at the Rice Preparatory Program and served as a staff pianist since 2022. As a piano teacher, other than developing the students’ performance techniques, her main focus is learning the analysis of all musical ideas and amplifying the creative individuality in music-making.