We recently connected with Vivian Fang Liu and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vivian Fang, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, I wrote music for children to encourage them to take pride in themselves and their heritage. My song Belong became a powerful message of unity and self-worth. The New York State Senator invited me and my students to perform it at the legislative building in Albany before the passage of the AAPI Bill. That moment reinforced my belief in the power of music to create meaningful change.

2I compose music to bring people together and encourage my students to give back to the community through volunteer work. Our efforts have been recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for three consecutive years, along with appreciation letters from the White House, signed by President Joe Biden.

Vivian Fang, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My parents love music, and my mom encouraged me to learn the piano, telling me that I would never feel lonely if I could play music—because the piano would always be my friend. Whenever I feel lonely, I can play, and music will always be there for me.

About me:
Vivian Fang Liu, an award-winning pianist, singer, songwriter, Grammy voting member, and Grammy U mentor, has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Grammy Museum, Mozarthaus, and Wiener Musikverein in Vienna. Her music has been featured on major platforms such as PBS, ABC7, SinoVision, and SiriusXM.
In March 2022, the Recording Academy honored Ms. Liu as the featured artist for Women’s History Month. Steinway & Sons recognized her as a “Top Piano Teacher” for three consecutive years (2022–2024). She has also received the “Artist of the Year” and “Album of the Year” awards from the Funky Kids Awards in Australia, along with four Global Music Awards. In 2024, she has been invited to speak and lead workshops at Harvard University. And she won the “Best Songwriter” award at the World Entertainment Awards in 2025.
Ms. Liu has been invited to perform the national anthem at professional MLB and WNBA games at Citi Field and the Barclays Center in New York. She has also made special guest appearances alongside renowned Asian celebrity singers during their North American tours. A respected music educator and adjudicator, she serves as a judge for numerous local and international music competitions, mentoring students who have performed at Carnegie Hall and embarked on global tours, with recent invitations to the Royal Albert Hall in the United Kingdom.
In academia, Ms. Liu has presented her work at esteemed international conferences, including the ISME World Music Education Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the 12th Asia-Pacific Music Education Research Conference, where her paper on Asian American music education received widespread acclaim. In 2023, her co-authored paper was published in Music Education Research, a leading journal in the field.
Ms. Liu holds master’s degrees in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and Classical Piano Performance from New York University. Her distinguished career—marked by outstanding performances, influential educational initiatives, and significant research contributions—underscores her dedication to advancing cultural diversity and accessibility in the musical arts.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I came to the U.S. alone at 15 and had to navigate every aspect of life on my own. Without a piano to practice on, I found a way—I taught my landlord’s son piano in exchange for practice time on their piano. Despite facing many rejections, I always held onto the belief that there is hope, no matter what.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to inspire and uplift people, I want to encourage self-pride, celebrate cultural heritage, and promote diversity and inclusion. Music is a powerful tool for connection and change, and I try to make it as accessible and meaningful as possible— More than anything, I want my music to leave a lasting impact, both emotionally and socially.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vivianfangliu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianfangliu/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VivianFangLiu/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-fang-liu-49673952/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vivianfangliu

Image Credits

first picture credit: Marco Sagliocco

second picture credits: not applicable