Biography
Hong Kong pianist Ham Chan has earned recognition for the poetic clarity and expressive depth of his artistry. His debut album, Masks under the Mask (Centaur Records, 2025), devoted to Robert Schumann’s piano character pieces, has been warmly received by international critics. China Art described the recording as “a dialogue between artistic insight and emotional depth,”praising its “delicate tone, refined sensitivity, and unique interpretation.” Fanfare highlighted his “utmost respect for the score, hardly ever deviating from indicated tempos and dynamic markings,” noting his clarity of articulation and concluding that “in those moments [of Eusebius], Chan is among the finest interpreters.” Together, these reviews affirm a pianism marked by individuality, lyricism, and structural command.
As a performer, Ham has appeared across Europe, Asia, and North America, with festival invitations including Stars at the Rhine (Switzerland), Beethoven Bootcamp (Ireland), the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival (USA), and Music Fest Perugia (Italy). He is equally committed to teaching and outreach, having led a masterclass at Salisbury University and continuing to foster community engagement through performance and education.
Known for his imaginative approach to programming, Ham designs thematic recitals that weave together music, history, and psychological narrative. His repertoire spans the breadth of the piano literature, from the counterpoint of Bach to the vivid soundscapes of contemporary composers, always guided by a distinctive personal vision.
Ham’s path to the piano was unconventional: he began formal study at eighteen, after discovering the instrument only seven years earlier. This late beginning nurtured an independent, introspective artistry that continues to shape his musical outlook.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park, with earlier studies at the Mannes School of Music, the Boston Conservatory, and Hong Kong Baptist University. His principal teachers include Larissa Dedova, Vladimir Valjarevic, Janice Weber, Gregory Haimovsky, and Pang Jane Cheung.