Dr. Joanne Chang, a native of Ipoh, Malaysia is an accomplished pianist, pedagogue, coach, and entrepreneur. Described for her captivating and poetic musical interpretations, Joanne has performed at distinguished programs including the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase, AXIOM ensemble, Music Academy of the West, International Menuhin Music Academy, Hidden Valley Festival of Winds, Heartbeat Opera, Indiana University Summer String Academy, Music Teachers National Association, Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of China. An active chamber musician, Joanne has performed with musicians of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
An avid educator, Joanne is on the teaching faculty at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. She is also piano faculty at the 92NY and Nightingale-Bamford School. She has served on the faculty/teaching staff at Western Illinois University, Philadelphia International Music Festival, University College Sedaya International, Florida State University, Camp Encore/Coda, and as Program Assistant/Associate Instructor in Piano at Indiana University.
An active performer, pedagogue, and entrepreneur, Joanne’s accolades include her 2018 recording album Díalogos and her appointment as Chair for the 2022 MTNA National Conference Pedagogy Saturday track for Young Professionals. Joanne is founder of the Indiana University Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Chapter and a regular presenter at the MTNA National Conferences. Her research interests include new music, works by female composers, creative entrepreneurship, and career development mentorship.
Joanne holds a doctorate in Piano Performance and Literature from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with Karen Shaw and Menahem Pressler. Joanne completed two minors in Music Theory and Arts Administration alongside the doctorate. Joanne’s doctoral research document “The Bridge to Modernism: Franz Liszt and the Late Piano Music” (2021) explores the connection of the composer’s late piano works with music of the early 20th century.
Joanne is a graduate of The Juilliard School under its prestigious Kovner Fellowship, Indiana University, Florida State University, and Kent State University. Her teachers include Jonathan Feldman, Karen Shaw, Menahem Pressler, Read Gainsford, and Jerry Wong. A seasoned pianist, teacher, and arts administrator, Joanne is based in New York City where she maintains an active performing and teaching schedule. She is an active collaborative pianist and instructor at the Keyboard Studies and Music Theory departments at The Juilliard School, and a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music Vocal Arts and Collaborative Piano division. Joanne is also piano faculty at the 92NY and Nightingale-Bamford School. Outside of her professional life, Joanne enjoys hiking, golf, and can be found throwing clay on the potter’s wheel.