Barry Tan

Canadian pianist Barry Tan, based in Los Angeles, California, is enjoying a career as an active soloist, collaborative artist, and educator. Barry has performed as soloist with the University of Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Harmonia Chamber Orchestra, University of Southern California Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra. He is in demand as a freelance collaborative pianist in recitals, concerts, and recordings throughout Los Angeles & Vancouver, and maintains a select group of private piano students. Currently, Barry is serving as a Studio Teaching Assistant to the Keyboard Studies Department at the USC Thornton School of Music where his duties include: teaching group piano to non-majors, private instruction to piano majors at the undergraduate and graduate level, and performing administrative duties as an Applied Coordinator.

In the 2019/2020 season, highlights included solo and collaborative performances throughout Los Angeles, Vancouver, Victoria, and Salt Spring Island; a scheduled solo recital tour in partnership with the BC Health Arts Society; performing as soloist with the USC Thornton Symphony Orchestra (New Music Concert), and participating as a 2020 Piano Fellow, at the Tanglewood Music Festival, in Massachusetts.

Upcoming events in 2020/2021 includes livestream recitals and performances throughout Southern California and Vancouver, pedagogy presentations at the Florida State Music Teachers Conference, the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, the MTNA National Collegiate Conference; and a duo Viola and Piano recital tour throughout Montana.

Barry has participated in various music festivals throughout North America and Europe, including: Tanglewood (Masachuesetts), Montecito (Southern California), Young Artist Program at the National Arts Center (Ottawa), Victoria Summer Music Academy (BC), Mozarteum Academy (Salzburg), a Fall Residency at the Banff Arts Centre (Alberta), and the Orford Musique Academie (Quebec). He is funded by various grants and scholarships throughout North America, and most recently, was awarded as a 2020 recipient of the BC Arts Council Scholarship.

Previously, Barry studied at McGill University, Schulich School of Music, under full scholarship, and also at the University of Victoria, where he was awarded the President's Scholarship, and graduated with distinction. In 2017-2018, Barry worked as the Artistic Director at Place Des Arts’ Piano Chamber Music Program in Coquitlam, BC. He mentored several piano trio and 2-piano ensembles for recitals, local festivals, competitions, and engagements in community events throughout the school. Barry is currently pursuing Doctoral Studies at the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles.

As an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Barry serves as the President for the 2020-2021 Collegiate Chapter at USC, as well as the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT), where he recently published an article on their e-journal, CAPMT Connect.

In his spare time, Barry enjoys exploring new neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, film photography, watching A24 movies, and producing contemporary beats on Logic Pro X.

Please conatct Barry for lessons or engagements, at barrytan[at]usc[dot]edu, or fill out this form.

Update, January 2021