Norah Chan – Pianist & Educator

Norah Chan is an Irish pianist, educator, and accompanist. She began her studies privately at the age of 10 and then professionally at the TUD Conservatoire, under the stewardship of Padhraic O’Cuinnegain, from the age of 16. She continued her musical education, obtaining an Upper Second Class Honours Bachelor’s degree with TU Dublin Conservatoire, where she had the opportunity to receive tuition from teachers Mary Lennon, Sam Armstrong, and David Mooney. She then obtained a First Class Honours Master’s Degree from Conservatorio Arrigo Pedrollo di Vicenza in Italy. During her studies in Italy, Norah received mentoring from Maestra Jolanda Violante as well as attending lessons with pianists Igor Roma and Marco Tezza. She completed courses in applying mindful awareness to performance practice as well as body awareness in piano technique delivered by authors of the book Maestro di Te Stesso, Federica Righini and Riccardo Zadra.

She has participated in various piano competitions both national and abroad. In 2023 she was awarded 2nd place in the Movement from a Concerto competition with TUD for her performance of Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2, first movement. In 2024 she was shortlisted in a competition with Vicenza Conservatory, gaining the opportunity to perform for international pianist Enrico Pace at a masterclass. She has performed solo and chamber music at public concerts at the Conservatory of Vicenza and Palazzo Cordellina in Vicenza, and in Ireland had the opportunity to perform at the National Concert Hall and TUD concert hall. She has also received masterclasses from Irish pianists John O’Connor and Barry Douglas.

Norah has a particular interest in music from the early nineteenth to late twentieth century. Her Bachelor’s Thesis, East Asian Influences in the Music of Claude Debussy, explored the influence of traditional East Asian music in Debussy’s repertoire, considering the historical effects of orientalism and cultural collaborations across classical piano repertoire. Her Master’s thesis focused on The Influence of Nature in Twentieth Century Piano Repertoire, exploring the unifying influence of nature by observing the different interpretations twentieth century composers have taken to nature, from both the West and the East.

As an educator, Norah is passionate about sharing a love of music, exposing classical music to wider audiences, and helping students reach their full potential. Combining hard work and diligence with a love of and connection to music and nature, she fosters an exploratory curiosity in classical music and the joy of discovery of its beauty.